As the aviation industry grows increasingly sophisticated, demand is steady for mechanics who can keep up with ever-changing technology.
The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $70,010 in May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
General aviation companies and smaller jet and aircraft manufacturers, in particular, are seeking new talent as aircraft mechanics as the existing workforce ages.
Over 12,000 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year through 2032, according to the BLS. Many of these will be openings to replace retiring workers.
With developments such as super-sized planes and pilot-less aircrafts on the horizon, the industry is increasingly sophisticated and will need mechanics that can keep up with ever-changing technology.
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According to the BLS, 161,000 aircraft mechanics currently work in the United States. The occupation includes several subcategories:
- Powerplant mechanics, who work on engines as well some work on propellers.
- Airframe mechanics, who work on every part of the aircraft except instruments, power plants (engines) and propellers.
- Combination airframe-and-powerplant mechanics, who work on all parts except instruments.
- Avionics technicians, who repair and maintain components for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems and instruments, and computers that control flight, engine and other functions.
Get to Know Your Stuff
To launch your career as an aircraft mechanic, experts advise looking for a well-established school that offers hands-on training and boasts a placement record of 70 percent or higher.
Quality schools offer students master classroom basics, such as understanding electrical laws and reading blueprints, and perform hands-on lab work. A good school will include newer technologies in addition to FAA requirements.
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Tuition for undergraduate programs in aeronautics or aerospace engineering at reputable institutions can range from around $20,000 to $50,000 per year for in-state students at public universities. For out-of-state students or private institutions, the cost can be higher, ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 or more per year. Financial aid may be available.
A high-school diploma or equivalent is typically required for enrolling in aeronautic school, but previous experience is not essential. "I've seen some kids with no mechanical experience who came out doing really well," says Bryan Tobias, a Federal Aviation Administration Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).
Test for Certification
In addition, to become an aircraft mechanic, most employers prefer that you test for a certificate.
"The holder of a mechanic certificate is relatively unrestricted as to working on a particular type of aircraft or to specialized maintenance functions," Tobias says.
The FAA requires 18 months worth of work experience for an airframe, powerplant or avionics repairer's certificate and 30 months for a combined airframe/powerplant certificate.
Completion of a program at an FAA-certified mechanic school can substitute for work experience. Attending one of the 200 US mechanic schools is the most common way of breaking into the industry. But military veterans who demonstrate good work backgrounds can test for certification, as can those with adequate practical experience but no training.
Testing involves a series of computer-based exams, followed by a day spent with a certified examiner. Then the applicant works on a series of hands-on projects covering 44 subjects that range from small commuter planes to Boeing-size jets.
Work All Over the World
Once you're licensed, where you work depends on your interests.
"You have the large airlines, commuter airlines, engine manufacturers or fixed base operators in any part of the country and the world," says Newton.
You could work line maintenance at airports, where you attend to a plane at the gate, or on helicopters, as part of a team on large planes or in a shop where you repair a small plane yourself.
Wherever you go, don't expect to work 9-to-5. The work is often outside and at night, and mechanics are athletes who climb ladders and work in small spaces.
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