Aerospace technician.

Reese, Susan

AEROSPACE TECHNICIANS WORK WITH AIRCRAFT AND SPACECRAFT, and their duties may include operating and maintaining equipment used in testing, performing installations and repairs, making and installing parts and systems in test equipment, and operating and calibrating computer systems. They may also record data from tests and work with aerospace engineers to discuss results of their tests and procedures.

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The Workplace

Aerospace technicians work in commercial and civil defense organizations. They may be employed by plants that manufacture products, parts, and instruments used for navigation, measuring and control. They may also work in laboratories of facilities that assemble spacecraft, aircraft and missiles. Aerospace technicians are also employed in projects related to the military and national defense.

Education

Students may begin preparing for a career in aerospace technology in high school, and then go on to a two-year or four-year postsecondary institution. There are community and technical colleges that offer certificate and associate degree programs in aerospace technology. Often these include opportunities for transfer into four-year universities, as well as training for those already working in the industry who wish to update their knowledge and enhance their skills.

Earnings

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technicians was $61,530 in May 2012, with the top 10 percent earning more than $87,370.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that, while job growth for aerospace technicians is not expected to be significantly stronger than other professions, many of the projects they work on are related to national defense, and therefore these jobs should remain in the United States. In addition to the retirement of current workers, other factors that may contribute to the hiring of technicians include redesigns to cut down on noise pollution and raise fuel efficiency, and the increasing demand for research and development in support of air transportation.

By Susan Reese

EXPLORE MORE

For more information about the career of aerospace technician and the education and training it requires, here are a few places to turn.

ABET www.abet.org

Federal Aviation Administration www.faa.gov

National Aeronautics and Space Administration www.nasa.gov

SpaceTEC www.spacetec.us

Technology Student Association www.tsaweb.org