Ground Support Equipment Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Ground Support Equipment Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Ground Support Equipment Technician in the United States is $51,038 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Ground Support Equipment Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,503
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,100 to $58,086
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,515

Key Factors That Influence Ground Support Equipment Technician Salaries

A Ground Support Equipment Technician'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 Ground Support Equipment Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Ground Support Equipment Technician'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): $45,254
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $50,520
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,973
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,950
  • Expert (over 8 years): $177,660
Levels Salary
Flight In... Level Ground Support Equipment Technician$45,254
Ground Su... Level Ground Support Equipment Technician$50,520
Flight In... Level Ground Support Equipment Technician$58,973
Flight In... Level Ground Support Equipment Technician$143,950
Flight In... Level Ground Support Equipment Technician$177,660

How Do Ground Support Equipment Technician Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Ground Support Equipment Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,509.
  • California: $56,295.
  • Massachusetts: $55,545.

Top Paying Cities for Ground Support Equipment Technicians

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: $64,374
  • San Francisco: $63,670
  • Oakland: $62,328

What Skills Can Increase a Ground Support Equipment Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 8.79% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Aviation (Mentioned in 4.13% Job Postings): Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 8.79%
Aviation 4.13%
Hydraulics 1.03%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Ground Support Equipment Technician's salary.

  • System Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
System Maintenance $59,715
17%
Project Management $57,163
12%
Customer Service $55,632
9%

Ground Support Equipment Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ground Support Equipment Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Ground Support Equipment Technician positions in Transportation or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ground Support Equipment Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Ground Support Equipment Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$63,798$31.025%
MFG Durable$56,142$27.010%

How Education impacts a Ground Support Equipment Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ground Support Equipment Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Ground Support Equipment Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $85,393 and $89,751).

Ground Support Equipment Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Ground Support Equipment Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 25.0%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Ground Support Equipment Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Ground Support Equipment Technician'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$47,100
Average $51,038/year
$58,086
$3,925
Average $4,253/month
$4,841
$906
Average $982/week
$1,117
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,086 $4,841 $1,117 $28
Average $51,038 $4,253 $982 $25
25th Percentile $47,100 $3,925 $906 $23

Most common benefits for Ground Support Equipment Technician

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

Common company salaries for Ground Support Equipment Technician

Here are companies hiring for Ground Support Equipment Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Ground Support Equipment Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Ground Support Equipment Technician?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Ground Support Equipment Technician roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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