Aeronautical and Aerospace Technician Job Description, Career as a Aeronautical and Aerospace Technician, Salary, Employment

Training/Educational Requirements: Associate degree preferred

Median Salary: $53,300 per year

Job Prospects: Fair

Job Description

Aeronautical and aerospace technicians may work in a variety of different roles, but common among them is that they repair mechanical and electrical pieces and parts related to flight.

Aeronautical and aerospace technicians work on scheduled inspections and maintenance, and may be involved in repair of specific problems as they happen. Some technicians specialize in a specific part, such as propellers, while other techs work in general maintenance. Those who work for a flight-regulation body such as the Federal Aviation Administration also need to be aware of that organization’s specific maintenance requirements. Many aeronautical and aerospace technicians start out in a more general role, defining a specialty as they progress through their career. While individual responsibilities vary, most aeronautical and aerospace technicians must be well-versed in all aircraft parts and therefore be able to handle common repairs and maintenance exams. Every tech’s responsibility lies in ensuring that all aircrafts are safe for travel.

Training/Educational Requirements

Aeronautical and aerospace technicians are generally expected to have an associate degree. It can be helpful if their degree is in aerospace or a related discipline, but this is not a requirement. As many colleges don’t offer a degree-granting program in this area, those wanting to become aeronautical and aerospace technicians should take whatever individual courses in flight and space that they can.

That said, some of the best training for this role comes on the job. Gaining exposure to and experience working with different airplane and spaceship parts, repairs, and inspections greatly benefits aeronautical and aerospace technicians. Student technicians should take internship opportunities in a variety of roles to make them more marketable as job seekers and to better prepare them for the variety of work within the aeronautical and aerospace field.

How to Get Hired

The best way to first get hired as an aeronautical and aerospace technician is to have some sort of a background in flight or space fields, even if that is only an associate degree with no on-the-job experience. Aeronautical or aerospace technicians can always work their ways up from an entry-level role.

Those aeronautical and aerospace technicians who have worked in general inspections and then focused within specific specialties will have a much easier time being hired. Though it can be helpful to specialize, this can work against individuals if they don’t stay well-versed in the general maintenance required for these aircrafts.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook, and Career Development

In a tough economy, aeronautics and aerospace is an area that suffers great cutbacks. This works against those wishing to enter into the fields of flight and space, as well as those already working in that. There are generally less jobs to be had, and that means that there is greater competition for the jobs that are available.

Though having a focus in a certain specialization can help, being willing and able to work in a more general role, such as inspections, can be helpful because there is a better likelihood of these jobs coming available. The one bright spot for this role is that with the increase in air traffic, there appears to be more potential job openings within the field.

Working Environment

Working as an aeronautical and aerospace technician can be stressful at times, as there are usually immediate deadlines and an overall pressure to complete the work quickly and flawlessly. Technicians also must be willing to travel as they may work in one environment specifically or they may travel to the aircrafts that require attention. Though they may maintain an office, most aeronautical and aerospace technicians will work in the field on actual aircrafts, usually in a hangar which can be noisy and dirty. Aerospace and aeronautical technicians may work very long hours, and they may work unusual hours, being on call to work on aircrafts as problems arise. Aerospace and aeronautics requires attention to detail, as well as the ability to keep calm under stressful circumstances.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary range for aerospace and aeronautical technicians is around $53,300 per year. The range may be anywhere from $34,570 all the way up to $74,860, which also shows the wide variety of jobs and specific responsibilities involved within each type of job. Salary also depends on factors such as experience, geographical location, and specific employer. Aerospace and aeronautical technicians may expect to receive standard benefits such as medical coverage and paid vacation, sick days, and holidays. They may receive additional benefits such as pension savings, tuition reimbursement, and others, depending on their experience and employer.