What You Need to Know About Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician
Position Description Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists.
Aircraft Mechanic or Technician Responsibilities
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
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Things an Aircraft Mechanic or Technician Should Know How to Do
When polled, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Other Aircraft Mechanic or Technician Job Titles
- Aircraft Structural Repairer
- Experimental Rocketsled Mechanic
- Aircraft Motor Mechanic
- Aviation Mechanic
- Jet Engine Mechanic
Job Demand for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
There were about 132,000 jobs for Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,500 new jobs for Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 10,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Aircraft Mechanic or Technician are Alabama, Nevada, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Massachusetts, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians ranges between about $36,760 and $97,820 a year.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians who work in Connecticut, Georgia, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $67,400 |
| Arizona | $62,280 |
| Arkansas | $51,150 |
| California | $70,750 |
| Colorado | $73,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,240 |
| Delaware | $62,250 |
| Florida | $63,040 |
| Georgia | $76,310 |
| Hawaii | $65,260 |
| Idaho | $54,960 |
| Illinois | $63,840 |
| Indiana | $49,090 |
| Iowa | $55,940 |
| Kansas | $56,840 |
| Kentucky | $79,590 |
| Louisiana | $60,340 |
| Maine | $51,570 |
| Maryland | $72,650 |
| Massachusetts | $67,420 |
| Michigan | $58,350 |
| Minnesota | $62,050 |
| Missouri | $62,490 |
| Montana | $55,900 |
| Nebraska | $46,180 |
| Nevada | $78,380 |
| New Hampshire | $57,270 |
| New Jersey | $69,090 |
| New Mexico | $62,140 |
| New York | $67,840 |
| North Carolina | $60,820 |
| North Dakota | $57,360 |
| Ohio | $59,490 |
| Oregon | $61,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,830 |
| Rhode Island | $51,670 |
| South Carolina | $62,120 |
| South Dakota | $53,730 |
| Tennessee | $58,170 |
| Texas | $63,860 |
| Utah | $60,770 |
| Vermont | $60,280 |
| Virginia | $67,000 |
| Washington | $68,140 |
| West Virginia | $54,220 |
| Wisconsin | $53,360 |
| Wyoming | $58,390 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Maintenance record software
- Technical manual database software
How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic or Technician
Learn what Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Aircraft Mechanic or Technician?
Who Employs Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?
Below are examples of industries where Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Aircraft Mechanic or Service Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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