Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Also called: Aircraft Maintainer · Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech) · Aircraft Mechanic · Aircraft Restorer · Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech) · Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech)
Median pay (national)
$78,680
$47,790–$120,080 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
136,390
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4%
~11,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Postsecondary nondegree award
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for aircraft mechanics and service technicians shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $120,080 versus $47,790 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $78,680 leaves roughly 53% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 11,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, New Jersey pays the most for this role (median $97,730, +24% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $36,020 — a 171% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
- Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
- Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
- Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Access Software AIRPAX
- CaseBank SpotLight
- Computerized aircraft log manager CALM
- DatcoMedia EBis
- Disassembler software
- Engine analysis software
- Maintenance information databases
- Maintenance planning software
- Maintenance record software
- Mxi Technologies Maintenix
- Operational Data Store ODS software
- Pentagon 2000SQL
- Supply system software
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics