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Salary comparison

Avionics Technicians vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Who Earns More?

Avionics Technicianss out-earn Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by $32K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Avionics Technicianss land at $82,280 and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss at $50,620. The education gap is real: avionics technician programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while automotive service technicians and mechanic programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Avionics Technicianss is Pennsylvania ($117,470); for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss it's District of Columbia ($68,660).

Avionics Technicians
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median salary
$82,280
$50,620
Hourly rate
$39.56/hr
$24.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,410
$34,660
Senior level (90th %)
$113,680
$81,790
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
18,830
704,640
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
4%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Pennsylvania
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Avionics Technicians median pay.

State
Avionics Technicians
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
New Jersey
$100,250
$56,610
Maryland
$97,490
$57,520
Alaska
$94,810
$60,840
California
$92,480
$64,980
Washington
$91,380
$57,270
Massachusetts
$89,340
$60,760
New Hampshire
$86,830
$59,020
Virginia
$85,660
$59,330
Oregon
$83,830
$58,520
Colorado
$79,000
$61,280
Wisconsin
$65,230
$54,350
North Dakota
$59,900
$57,360
Michigan
$58,280
$54,120
Montana
$57,420
$58,740
Minnesota
$55,660
$58,390

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Avionics Technicianss or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss?

Avionics Technicianss earn more nationally. The median is $82,280 for Avionics Technicianss versus $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss, a difference of $32K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Avionics Technicians or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Avionics Technicians or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Avionics Technicians typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Avionics Technicianss get paid the most?

Pennsylvania is the top-paying state for Avionics Technicianss at $117,470/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Avionics Technicians vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Avionics Technicianss earn $100,250 vs. $56,610 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Avionics Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary breakdownView →Best cities for Avionics Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by take-home payExplore →How to become a avionics techniciansGuide →How to become a automotive service technicians and mechanicsGuide →