Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Aircraft Equipment Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Equipment Specialist in the United States is $81,653 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, an Aircraft Equipment Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,502
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,058 to $94,137
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,233

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salaries

An Aircraft Equipment Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft Equipment Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $76,361
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,973
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $78,441
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $82,520
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,254
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Aircraft Equipment Specialist less than 1 year $76,361
Early Career Level Aircraft Equipment Specialist 1-2 years $76,973
Mid-Level Level Aircraft Equipment Specialist 2-4 years $78,441
Senior-Level Level Aircraft Equipment Specialist 5-8 years $82,520
Expert Level Aircraft Equipment Specialist over 8 years $84,254

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Equipment Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $102,989
  • San Francisco: $101,862
  • Oakland: $99,715

Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Equipment Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Aircraft Equipment Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aircraft Equipment Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aircraft Equipment Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $97,984 $47.0 20%
Biotechnology $97,984 $47.0 20%
Chemicals $97,984 $47.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $97,984 $47.0 20%
Financial Services $97,984 $47.0 20%

How Education impacts an Aircraft Equipment Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aircraft Equipment Specialist professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Aircraft Equipment Specialist with a high school is between $69,226 and $76,768.

Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aircraft Equipment Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 3.8%
High School 81.7%
Associate's Degree 8.4%
Bachelor's Degree 4.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 1.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.4%

Aircraft Equipment Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft Equipment Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$73,058
Average $81,653/year
$94,137
$6,088
Average $6,804/month
$7,845
$1,405
Average $1,570/week
$1,810
$35
Average $39/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,137 $7,845 $1,810 $45
Average $81,653 $6,804 $1,570 $39
25th Percentile $73,058 $6,088 $1,405 $35

Most common benefits for Aircraft Equipment Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Aircraft Equipment Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Aircraft Equipment Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Aircraft Equipment Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aircraft Equipment Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Aircraft Equipment Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Aircraft Equipment Specialist?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Equipment Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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