Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program. PayThe median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft.
Work Environment
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians usually work in manufacturing plants, laboratories, and offices. Most work full time.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist or Technician
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program.
Pay
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians usually work in manufacturing plants, laboratories, and offices. Most work full time.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist or Technician
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program.
Pay
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.