Aircraft Instrument, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians and Inspectors

(NOC 2244)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Aircraft and avionics mechanics and technicians install, adjust, repair, and overhaul aircraft instruments, electrical or avionics systems on aircraft. This group also includes avionics inspectors who inspect instrument, electrical and avionics systems following assembly, modification, repair, or overhaul. They work for aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul companies and by airlines, the armed forces, and other aircraft operators.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Stable employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 35 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$23.86

Minimum

$31.28

Median

$43.45

Maximum

Annual Pay

$41,344

Minimum

$67,910

Median

$85,115

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Aircraft and avionics mechanics and technicians install, adjust, repair, and overhaul aircraft instruments, electrical or avionics systems on aircraft. This group also includes avionics inspectors who inspect instrument, electrical and avionics systems following assembly, modification, repair, or overhaul. They work for aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul companies and by airlines, the armed forces, and other aircraft operators.

Job duties

Aircraft instrument mechanics and technicians:

  • Repair and overhaul, install, calibrate, and test aircraft instruments.

Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians:

  • Repair and overhaul, modify, install, and test aircraft electrical systems and equipment.

Avionics mechanics and technicians:

  • Troubleshoot, repair and overhaul, test, modify, install, and inspect aircraft electronic systems and components including communications, navigation, and auto flight equipment.

Avionics inspectors:

  • Inspect and test aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics systems and ensure that the installation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety.

Sample job titles

  • aircraft electrician
  • aircraft instrument technician
  • aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) - avionics
  • avionics mechanic
  • avionics technician
  • electrical and electronics technician - avionics
  • instrument inspector and tester - avionics
  • instrument overhaul and repair mechanic - avionics

Skills

  • You should be interested in technology and discovering how things work. Good mechanical skills, attention to detail, and patience are necessary. You must be able to work under pressure and be able to work with and cooperate with others as part of a team. Effective spoken and written communication skills are also important.

Job requirements

  • Aircraft instrument and avionics mechanics and technicians require a two- to three-year college program in avionics or electronics.
  • Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians require a college program as an electrical or electronic technician.
  • Four years of on-the-job or company apprenticeship training is required for all mechanics and technicians in this group.
  • Avionics inspectors require a two- to three-year college program in avionics or electronics and three to five years of experience as an avionics mechanic or technician.
  • Avionics inspectors, mechanics and technicians who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AME) licence issued by Transport Canada.
  • Industry certification is available from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some jobs in this group.
  • Avionics inspectors, maintenance technicians and mechanics may add further endorsements to their AME licence allowing them to inspect and certify a broader range of aircraft and avionics systems.
  • An AME licence can be earned by fulfilling the education and training requirements as stated above and passing Transport Canada AME examinations.

Other considerations

  • Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

425

employed in 2016

96.5%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

4.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
95.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
41.6

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

52.3%

Annapolis Valley

$70,020 median annual income
41.9%

Halifax

$62,820 median annual income
3.5%

North Shore

N/A
2.3%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

54.3%

Public administration

22.2%

Manufacturing

17.3%

Transportation and warehousing

3.7%

Wholesale trade

2.5%

Professional, scientific and technical services

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

25-34

30.0%

45-54

16.0%

35-44

13.0%

55-64

6.0%

15-24

5.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

48.2%

College Diploma

$66,087 median annual income
25.9%

High school

$68,499 median annual income
20.0%

Trade Certification

$70,566 median annual income
5.9%

Bachelor

N/A
2.4%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. They include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing and testing automated, servomechanical, and other electromechanical systems. They include courses in prototype testing, manufacturing and operational testing, systems analysis and maintenance procedures, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Industrial Electronics Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, operate, maintain, and repair electrical/electronic equipment used in industry and manufacturing. They include courses in installing, maintaining and testing various types of equipment.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Instrumentation Technology/Technician - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing control and measurement systems and procedures. They include courses in instrumentation design and maintenance, calibration, design and production testing and scheduling, automated equipment functions, applications to specific industrial tasks, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Air Transport Association of Canada
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.