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Airlines
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians keep airplanes airworthy by inspecting, repairing, and testing everything from engines and landing gear to hydraulics, wiring, and structural parts. The job stands out because every fix is tied to safety and regulatory sign-off, so the tradeoff is solid pay and hands-on problem solving in exchange for physical work, strict documentation, and almost no room for mistakes.
Also known as Aircraft Maintenance TechnicianAircraft MechanicA&P MechanicAirframe and Powerplant MechanicAviation Maintenance Technician
Median Salary
$78,680
Mean $80,780
U.S. Workforce
~136K
11.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4%
139.4K to 145K
Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~136K workers, with a median annual pay of $78,680 and roughly 11.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 139.4 K in 2024 to 145K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Postsecondary Nondegree Award, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Aviation Maintenance Trainee and can progress toward Lead Technician / Maintenance Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, and Troubleshooting, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Clear Communication, and Teamwork.
Core Responsibilities
- Inspect aircraft and parts for cracks, leaks, corrosion, wear, and other damage before they go back into service.
- Take apart, repair, and reinstall engines, landing gear, wiring, hydraulics, and other aircraft components.
- Use test equipment and troubleshooting steps to find the cause of warning lights, odd readings, or failed systems.
- Clean, refuel, oil, and otherwise prepare aircraft for the next flight.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Inspect aircraft and parts for cracks, leaks, corrosion, wear, and other damage before they go back into service.
02 Take apart, repair, and reinstall engines, landing gear, wiring, hydraulics, and other aircraft components.
03 Use test equipment and troubleshooting steps to find the cause of warning lights, odd readings, or failed systems.
04 Clean, refuel, oil, and otherwise prepare aircraft for the next flight.
05 Perform scheduled inspections and any extra checks required after a problem is reported or found.
06 Write up the work, update maintenance records, and coordinate with pilots and other technicians on next steps.
Industries That Hire
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Aerospace Manufacturing
Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin
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Cargo & Logistics Aviation
FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, DHL Aviation
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Business Aviation & Charter
NetJets, Flexjet, Signature Aviation
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Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
AAR, StandardAero, Lufthansa Technik
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a skilled trade, with a median of $78,680 and a mean of $80,780.
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You can enter the field with a postsecondary nondegree award instead of a four-year degree, which keeps training shorter and cheaper.
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There are about 11.3K average annual openings, so retirements and turnover create steady hiring even though growth is modest.
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The work is varied: one day may be a routine inspection, and the next may be a tricky hydraulic, electrical, or structural repair.
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The skills transfer across airlines, cargo carriers, repair shops, and private aviation, which gives you several places to work.
Challenges
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The work is physical and often uncomfortable, with tight spaces, noise, grease, weather exposure, and long periods on your feet.
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The job comes with heavy compliance pressure, because a missed step or sloppy record can create a safety risk and trigger real consequences.
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Growth is only 4% over the next decade, so this is a stable field rather than a fast-expanding one.
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Remote work is basically off the table because the aircraft and the tools have to be on site.
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Career advancement can level off unless you move into lead, inspector, or supervisor roles, and the industry is still tied to airline traffic, fleet spending, and broader economic swings.
Career Progression
Aviation Maintenance Trainee
0-2 years
$42K-$55K
New workers learn shop procedures, basic safety rules, and how to help with simple maintenance tasks under close supervision.
Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician
2-6 years
$70K-$89K
This is the core role, where you handle inspections, repairs, troubleshooting, and sign-off tasks that directly affect flight readiness.
Senior Aircraft Mechanic THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$90K-$112K
Experienced technicians tackle harder diagnostics, train newer workers, and handle more complicated systems or aircraft types.
Lead Technician / Maintenance Supervisor
10+ years
$113K-$140K
At this level, the work shifts toward directing teams, prioritizing repairs, checking compliance, and keeping aircraft moving on schedule.
Education Paths
Postsecondary Nondegree Award
The most common entry point, held by 66.17% of workers in this role, usually through an FAA-approved technical program.
Associate's Degree in Aviation Maintenance or Aviation Technology
A smaller but still common path, held by 15.06% of workers, and it can help you build broader troubleshooting and systems knowledge.
High School Diploma Plus Hands-On Training
An alternate route used by 10.02% of workers, but it usually needs additional training, military experience, or employer support to get fully job-ready.
FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification
A realistic non-degree path for people who complete the required tests and practical experience, especially if they train through a school, employer, or the military.
Key Skills
Technical
Equipment Maintenance 98%
Repairing 98%
Troubleshooting 90%
Operations Monitoring 85%
Aircraft Maintenance Manuals & Logbooks 84%
Reading Comprehension 82%
Critical Thinking 80%
NDT Inspection Equipment (X-ray & Magnetic Particle) 79%
Complex Problem Solving 78%
Hand & Power Tools 77%
Hydraulic, Electrical & Avionics Systems 76%
Operation and Control 75%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailClear CommunicationTeamworkSafety MindsetTime ManagementCalm Under Pressure Job Outlook and Trends
+4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
11.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 139.4K to 145 K over the next decade, representing 4% growth. Around 11.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.