Aircraft Mechanic: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$79,870

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

138,090

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

medium preparation

Most common education

Post-Secondary Certificate

66% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET-SOC 49-3011.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
2. Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
3. Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
4. Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
5. Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
6. Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
7. Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
8. Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.

Telework available

less than 0.5%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

25.7%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Heavy

49.8% of workers

Can pause work

53.3%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

4.6%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

58.2%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Support activities for transportation30.5% of all jobs in this occupation · +6.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $73,140
2. Air transportation26.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +4.2% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $99,100
3. Transportation equipment manufacturing18.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +10.7% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $82,460
4. Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals10.1% of all jobs in this occupation · -4.7% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $76,930
5. Couriers and messengers2.7% of all jobs in this occupation · +4.2% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $100,550
6. Professional, scientific, and technical services2.2% of all jobs in this occupation · +10.2% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $85,960

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Transportation, Education and Training.

• Access Software AIRPAXFacilities management software
• CaseBank SpotLightAnalytical or scientific software
• Computerized aircraft log manager CALMInformation retrieval or search software
• Disassembler softwareCompiler and decompiler software
• Engine analysis softwareAnalytical or scientific software
• Maintenance information databasesFacilities management software
• Maintenance planning softwareFacilities management software
• Maintenance record softwareFacilities management software
• Supply system softwareInventory management software
• Technical manual database softwareInformation retrieval or search software
• Microsoft Office softwareOffice suite softwareIn demand
• Microsoft ExcelSpreadsheet softwareHot technology

Also called: Aircraft Maintainer, Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech), Aircraft Restorer, Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech), Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech).