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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Job Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
What Tasks Do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Perform?
The core tasks performed by aircraft mechanics and service technicians cover:
- 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective aircraft mechanics and service technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mechanic
- Aircraft AC Mechanic (Aircraft Air Conditioning Mechanic)
- Aircraft Accessories Mechanic
- Aircraft Avionics Technician (Aircraft Avionics Tech)
- Aircraft Body and Bonded Structure Repairer
- Aircraft Cylinder Mechanic
- Aircraft Electrician
- Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Employment and Demand
There are about 585,990 aircraft mechanics and service technicians working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +11.7% over the projection horizon.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $56,998 |
| Hourly median | $27.40 |
| 10th percentile | $34,631 |
| 25th percentile | $45,814 |
| 75th percentile | $68,182 |
| 90th percentile | $79,365 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $97,730 |
| Nevada | $97,690 |
| Maryland | $97,660 |
| New York | $93,200 |
| Massachusetts | $87,270 |
| Alabama | $86,780 |
| Minnesota | $86,640 |
| Alaska | $85,840 |
| Tennessee | $85,580 |
| Washington | $85,010 |
| Delaware | $85,000 |
| California | $84,910 |
| Hawaii | $83,200 |
| Connecticut | $82,610 |
| Oregon | $81,570 |
| Colorado | $81,020 |
| Vermont | $80,890 |
| Virginia | $80,770 |
| Texas | $80,320 |
| Illinois | $79,700 |
| New Hampshire | $78,960 |
| Ohio | $78,870 |
| Kansas | $78,480 |
| South Dakota | $78,140 |
| North Dakota | $77,900 |
| Georgia | $77,880 |
| Arizona | $77,130 |
| Mississippi | $76,980 |
| New Mexico | $76,480 |
| Florida | $75,460 |
| Oklahoma | $72,360 |
| Kentucky | $72,320 |
| Wisconsin | $72,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,240 |
| South Carolina | $70,800 |
| Iowa | $70,080 |
| Michigan | $69,370 |
| North Carolina | $69,320 |
| Idaho | $68,500 |
| Wyoming | $68,310 |
| Utah | $65,980 |
| Louisiana | $65,350 |
| Maine | $64,550 |
| Indiana | $64,310 |
| Missouri | $63,440 |
| Rhode Island | $63,010 |
| Montana | $62,990 |
| Nebraska | $62,990 |
| Arkansas | $50,290 |
| West Virginia | $46,770 |
| Puerto Rico | $36,020 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for aircraft mechanics and service technicians shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $90,168 | 6.4% | 0.46 |
| Far Western US | $86,023 | 16.7% | 1.28 |
| New England | $82,330 | 2.7% | 0.63 |
| Southwest | $77,532 | 21.5% | 2.45 |
| Southeast | $76,226 | 34.2% | 1.56 |
| Plains States | $75,944 | 4.5% | 0.76 |
| Great Lakes | $74,715 | 9.0% | 0.65 |
| Rocky Mountains | $72,958 | 4.4% | 1.12 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $103,750 | 340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $100,320 | 1,030 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | NV | $99,510 | 1,800 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $98,730 | 3,760 |
| Lexington Park, MD | MD | $98,070 | 210 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | GA | $95,920 | 3,200 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $95,690 | 1,410 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | CT | $95,310 | 100 |
Top Industries Employing Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
The largest employers of aircraft mechanics and service technicians are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 84,710 | $79,040 |
| Manufacturing | 23,210 | $82,610 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,270 | $82,940 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3,270 | $59,850 |
| Educational Services | 2,520 | $61,810 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,800 | $84,050 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,290 | $55,010 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 650 | $116,120 |
Below are examples of industries where aircraft mechanics and service technicians work:
Software Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Getting Started in This Career
Most aircraft mechanics and service technicians positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Aerospace Engineers (Supplemental)
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Avionics Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (Supplemental)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Future aircraft mechanics and service technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-3011.00 (Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians).
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