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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they do

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $79,870 Median per year · $38.40/hr Most earn $48,780–$128,890

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
  • Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
  • Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
  • Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
  • Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
  • Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 11,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Support activities for air transportation30.2%
  • Scheduled air transportation21.3%
  • Aerospace product and parts manufacturing17.9%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service9.4%
  • Nonscheduled air transportation4.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

You usually can't start this job straight out of high school. Most people finish a training certificate or apprenticeship, then spend roughly 2 to 4 years getting hands-on experience before working as an aircraft mechanic.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a strong base in math, physics, and shop or technical classes, since aircraft work depends on reading diagrams and measuring precisely.

  2. Aircraft Service Attendant

    Under 1 year

    Start as an attendant at an airport or service company, where you learn how aircraft are handled on the ground and get familiar with the work around planes.

  3. Aviation maintenance technician certificate program or apprenticeship

    1-2 years

    Complete formal training in airframe and powerplant maintenance, which prepares you for the certification exams that aircraft mechanics need.

  4. Aircraft Mechanic

    2-4 years of related experience before this job is typical

    Work under experienced mechanics to diagnose, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and systems, and earn the certifications needed to sign off on the work.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Aircraft Mechanic

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take charge of a small team, check others' work, and help plan maintenance jobs, which requires strong troubleshooting and communication skills.

  2. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move toward more design, testing, and engineering support work, which usually calls for deeper technical knowledge and often more schooling.

  3. Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor

    5+ years of experience first

    You manage a maintenance crew, schedule work, and make sure aircraft meet safety rules, which takes leadership experience on top of technical skill.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and physics help you understand how engines, hydraulics, and pneumatic systems work.
  • Join a robotics, engineering, or auto shop clubHands-on building and repair teaches you to use tools carefully and to troubleshoot problems step by step.
  • Take a shop or auto technology classMechanical courses give you basic experience with tools, safety rules, and reading technical manuals.
  • Get a starter job at a local airport, auto shop, or hardware storeAny job where you handle equipment or customers builds reliability and shows employers you can work responsibly.
  • Visit an airport or ask an aircraft mechanic for an informational interviewHearing directly from people in the job helps you decide if it fits you and shows you what training they chose.

In college

  • Enroll in an aviation maintenance technician programA certificate program at a community college or technical school teaches the airframe and powerplant knowledge this career needs.
  • Take physics, electronics, and hydraulics coursesThese classes build the systems knowledge you will use when diagnosing aircraft engines and assemblies.
  • Look for a part-time job or internship at an airport or aviation companyReal hands-on work while you study helps you build experience that employers value.
  • Join a student aviation or engineering clubClubs offer hands-on projects, networking with industry people, and a way to practice teamwork.
  • Start preparing for certification examsReviewing study materials early helps you move toward the certifications mechanics need after training and experience.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for airport, flight school, or airline jobs that offer on-the-job training. Getting your foot in the door early helps you learn the work and gain experience.
  • Ask a local aviation maintenance school what its admissions requirements are and what math and science classes it expects you to have taken.
  • Keep a simple log of the tools you use and the repairs you help with. Employers and certification programs like to see hands-on experience.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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