Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary

The median aircraft mechanics and service technicians salary in the United States is $79,870 per year ($38.40/hour). Salaries range from $48,780 at the entry level to $128,890+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 138,090 aircraft mechanics and service technicians jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asAircraft MechanicA&P Mechanic
Median Salary
$79,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.40
per hour
Employment
138,090
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$48,780
25th percentile
$62,630
Median
$79,870
75th percentile
$99,130
90th percentile
$128,890

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

11,300
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for aircraft mechanics and service technicianss.

Aircraft mechanics (A&P mechanics) inspect + repair + maintain aircraft engines + airframes + systems. Entry $52-72k; mid-career licensed A&P $68-92k; senior + specialty (avionics + inspector) $92-135k; lead A&P + senior technician $115-165k; supervisors $135-200k. A&P license (FAA) + specialty (avionics) drive pay. Growing shortage = sign-on bonuses. Union at airlines pays significantly more with pension.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Aircraft engines + airframes
Turbine + reciprocating engines + airframe systems + composites + hydraulics + landing gear.
Avionics + electronics
Communication + navigation + flight control + autopilot + specialty avionics work + FAR 145 repair station.
Troubleshooting + diagnostics
Read schematics + trace faults + logical diagnosis + minimum equipment lists + return-to-service.
FAA regulations + documentation
FAR + AC + AD + service bulletins + logbook entries + Airworthiness Directives + 100-hour + annual inspections.
Tools + specialty equipment
Torque wrenches + borescopes + specialty tools + hydraulic + pneumatic + electronic test equipment.
Safety + hazard awareness
FOD + confined space + jet fuel + hazardous materials + ergonomics + shift work + fatigue.
Team + regulatory coordination
Pilots + inspectors + supervisors + FAA + parts + supply + records + turnover discipline.

How to Become a Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

  1. 1
    Choose path: A&P school + military + apprenticeship
    FAA-approved A&P school 12-24 months ($10-30k). Military A&P training. On-the-job 30 months for eligibility.
  2. 2
    Pass FAA A&P (Airframe + Powerplant) certification
    Written + oral + practical tests. $150-450 each. Can specialize in Airframe only or Powerplant only.
  3. 3
    Land entry role at airline + MRO + corporate + military
    Regional + major airlines + AAR + MRO + FBO + corporate + military. Sign-on bonuses common.
  4. 4
    Advance to specialty + Inspector Authorization (IA)
    Avionics + specialty (helicopters + jets) + IA authorization (after 3 years) = premium pay.
  5. 5
    Move to Lead + Supervisor + Inspector paths
    Lead mechanic + supervisor + quality + FAA DAR + DER paths at 10-15 years. Owner MRO possible.

Career Progression

Apprentice / A&P Student
0-2 yrs$42-58k (during school + entry)
  • β€’Learn under supervision
  • β€’Complete A&P training
  • β€’Hand tools + basic maintenance
  • β€’Pass certifications
Next: A&P Mechanic at 1-2 years.
A&P Mechanic (Licensed)
2-8 yrs$62-92k + shift/OT
  • β€’Independent work per license
  • β€’Line + heavy maintenance
  • β€’Complete inspections
  • β€’Document + logbook entries
Next: Sr / Lead A&P at 8-12 years.
Senior / Lead A&P + IA
8-15 yrs$88-135k + differentials + OT
  • β€’Complex repairs + specialty
  • β€’Team of 3-8 mechanics
  • β€’IA sign-offs
  • β€’Mentor + train
Next: Supervisor + Quality at 12-18 years.
Supervisor / QC Manager
15+ yrs$115-215k+ bonus
  • β€’Own maintenance operations
  • β€’Team of 15-50
  • β€’FAA + regulatory + QC
  • β€’Budget + capital
Next: Director of Maintenance + Owner MRO.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a scheduled 100-hour inspection.technical
Review AD + SB + logbook + specific checklist items + document findings + repair or defer per MMEL + complete logbook + release to service.
Q2. How do you handle a critical safety finding on shift?situational
Ground aircraft + notify supervisor + document + prevent flight + coordinate repair or ferry + FAA if required.
Q3. Explain minimum equipment list (MEL).technical
Approved deviations from equipment requirements + specific conditions + placard + document + release to service if compliant.
Q4. Tell me about a difficult troubleshoot.behavioral
STAR: symptom + systematic diagnosis + creative approach + resolution + prevented recurrence.
Q5. Where do you see career in 5 years?closer
IA authorization + specialty (avionics + jets) + potentially lead or supervisor path.

Resume Template β€” Apprentice / Entry (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Apprentice / Entry (0-2 yrs)
  • β–ΈCompleted A&P school + passed FAA Airframe + Powerplant certifications within 26 months.
  • β–ΈAssisted licensed A&Ps on 380+ line maintenance events at regional airline hub.
  • β–ΈZero safety incidents + Certified for 40+ tasks in first 12 months.
  • β–ΈEarned Human Factors + FAR 145 + specialty engine training certifications.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Weak documentation discipline (audit + safety risk).
  • βœ—Cant handle physical + heights + shift work.
  • βœ—Safety incidents.
  • βœ—Cant read schematics + technical manuals.
  • βœ—Weak troubleshooting.
  • βœ—Attendance issues.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“A&P + IA authorization = $10-25k premium.
  • βœ“Specialty (avionics + helicopters + jets) = $8-20k premium.
  • βœ“Union scale at major airlines: significantly higher + pension.
  • βœ“Sign-on: $5-30k common due to shortage.
  • βœ“Shift + OT + travel differential = 15-30% additional.
  • βœ“Corporate/business jet work pays 20-40% premium over airlines.
  • βœ“MRO ownership + business = highest earning potential.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired aircraft mechanics and service technicianss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
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  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 7 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$45K
$105Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

New Jersey
$105K
+32%
New York
$103K
+29%
Maryland
$101K
+26%
Washington
$99K
+24%
Connecticut
$97K
+21%
Nevada
$95K
+19%
Massachusetts
$93K
+16%
Alaska
$91K
+14%
Hawaii
$91K
+14%
California
$86K
+8%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
New Jersey$105,370+31.9%
New York$102,800+28.7%
Maryland$100,500+25.8%
Washington$98,980+23.9%
Connecticut$96,830+21.2%
Nevada$94,890+18.8%
Massachusetts$93,040+16.5%
Alaska$91,150+14.1%
Hawaii$90,830+13.7%
California$86,100+7.8%
1–10 of 50

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$127,140+59.2%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$103,900+30.1%
Waterbury-Shelton, CT$101,660+27.3%
Trenton-Princeton, NJ$101,590+27.2%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$100,940+26.4%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$100,610+26.0%
Lexington Park, MD$100,500+25.8%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$98,760+23.7%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$98,300+23.1%
Kahului-Wailuku, HI$98,280+23.0%
1–10 of 210
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A aircraft mechanics and service technicians earning $79,870/year would need 746 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 801 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how aircraft mechanics and service technicians salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary trend (2011–2024) β†’