What is the salary and career path for a aircraft mechanic?
Aircraft mechanic is an exact match to Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (SOC 49-3011), the BLS code for those who service airframes and powerplants. The OEWS May 2025 median is $79,870 a year ($38.40 an hour), from $48,780 at the 10th percentile to $128,890 at the 90th, with FAA certification and aircraft type driving the spread. BLS projects 4% growth over 2024–2034, about average, with roughly 11,300 openings a year. Most jobs require the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, earned through an FAA-approved school or documented experience plus written, oral and practical exams.
- Aircraft Mechanics earn a national median $79,870/yr ($38.40/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-3011); the top 10% clear $128,890.
- Most jobs require the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, earned through an approved school or documented experience plus FAA exams.
- BLS projects 4% growth for 2024–34 across the aircraft-mechanic code, about average, with roughly 11,300 openings a year.
- The ladder runs from A&P student through certified mechanic and Inspection Authorization to maintenance supervisor near $128,890.
Career Path
How do you become a aircraft mechanic?
Apprentice / A&P Student
Learns airframe and powerplant systems in an FAA-approved program; pay near the BLS 10th percentile.
Aircraft Mechanic (A&P)
Holds the A&P certificate and performs line and base maintenance — around the $79,870 median.
Lead / Inspection-Authorized Mechanic
Adds Inspection Authorization and leads crews; earnings near the 75th percentile.
Maintenance Supervisor / Quality
Runs a shift or quality function at an airline or MRO; top-decile pay near the 90th percentile.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays aircraft mechanics the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-3011. National median: $79,870. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does aircraft mechanic pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles aircraft mechanics most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: aircraft mechanics rank 3 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +4% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly aircraft mechanics clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-3011 (aircraft mechanics) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do aircraft mechanics need?
The core FAA mechanic certificate required to approve aircraft for return to service. See all state licences →
Advanced FAA authorization to perform annual and major-repair inspections; requires A&P plus experience.
OEM aircraft-type courses (Boeing, Airbus, engine makers) certifying fleet-specific maintenance.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do aircraft mechanics use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 49-3011
Salary Levers
How do aircraft mechanics earn above the $79,870 BLS median?
A&P plus Inspection Authorization
Adding the IA to an A&P moves pay from the $79,870 median toward the $128,890 top decile.
Aircraft type and employer
Wide-body airline and OEM work pays above entry repair-station roles near the $48,780 p10.
Shift lead and supervision
Lead and maintenance-supervisor roles push earnings toward the top of the range.
This Route vs. College
Is becoming an aircraft mechanic worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-3011. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
Aircraft Mechanic Career, Frequently Asked Questions
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