Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician Salary

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn a median $82,890 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations

U.S. median
$82,890
$39.85 per hour
Range
$59,050 – $125,160
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
11,280
across the U.S.
▲3.8%
Pay trend: The median for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the U.S. rose from $79,830 (May 2024) to $82,890 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.4%.

What aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians do

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

Typical education
Associate's degree
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
None
Job outlook, 2025–35
+11.9% (much faster than average)
Openings per year
1,100
Self-employed
1%

Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$67,143
per year · effective tax rate 19.0%
$5,595Monthly
$2,798Twice a month
$2,582Every 2 weeks
$32.28Hourly
  • Federal income tax$9,406
  • Social Security (6.2%)$5,139
  • Medicare (1.45%)$1,202
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$67,143

Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$59,050$28.39$49,627
25th percentile$67,680$32.54$56,443
Median (50th)$82,890$39.85$67,143
75th percentile$111,280$53.50$87,115
90th percentile (top earners)$125,160$60.17$96,813

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Washington $125,160+18.2%$96,813 $108,200 – $125,1601,590
Alaska $105,780−0.1%$83,246 $104,240 – $113,50040
Nevada $102,980+4.3%$81,276 $62,700 – $125,01050
California $99,000+2.7%$72,212 $71,990 – $161,6501,560
Colorado $98,990−20.4%$74,822 $84,150 – $131,670660
Maryland $91,820−1.3%$69,428 $62,200 – $124,430200
Oregon $81,100+40.6%$59,617 $54,400 – $81,310120
Virginia $81,040+1.1%$61,996 $58,910 – $100,610270
Massachusetts $79,420−2.5%$60,951 $72,890 – $99,74030
Connecticut $79,410−2.5%$61,902 $68,840 – $132,64070
Ohio $79,310+3.3%$63,226 $60,010 – $105,030900
Florida $78,560−2.0%$64,097 $57,200 – $122,870770
Kansas $78,350+2.9%$60,377 $51,200 – $100,170580
Texas $78,350−6.0%$63,949 $56,000 – $119,840950
Utah $76,680−2.5%$60,290 $64,170 – $112,740400
Arizona $75,230+21.0%$60,082 $61,530 – $94,390380
Minnesota $71,240—$55,626 $64,930 – $78,080—
Michigan $69,840+49.8%$55,245 $42,700 – $98,61070
New Mexico $66,460—$53,623 $64,320 – $92,220—
New York $64,480+2.9%$51,105 $53,000 – $88,650330
Indiana $62,520+6.3%$50,600 $48,710 – $77,550480
Alabama $62,130−10.7%$49,260 $43,390 – $110,250140
Pennsylvania $60,770—$49,143 $54,380 – $91,62080
Oklahoma $45,590−22.8%$37,306 $37,120 – $104,42030

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$78,350Associate's degree+2.8%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician$78,190Associate's degree+2.4%
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician$74,510Associate's degree+1.3%
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician$73,900Associate's degree+2.6%
Calibration Technologist and Technician$67,820Associate's degree+4.8%
Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician$66,120Associate's degree+3.1%
Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician$64,950Associate's degree+3.2%
Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician$59,920Associate's degree+3.1%
Electrical and Electronics Drafter$76,870Associate's degree-3.4%
Mechanical Drafter$71,550Associate's degree-6.0%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician make?

The national median salary for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is $82,890 a year ($39.85 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $59,050 and the top 10% earn over $125,160. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians the most?

Washington has the highest median pay at $125,160.

How many aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are there in the U.S.?

About 11,280 people work as aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians nationwide.