Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Job Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
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What Tasks Do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Do?
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.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful aircraft mechanics and service technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- 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 roughly 585,990 aircraft mechanics and service technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +11.7% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
| 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 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Make in Different U.S. States?
| 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 vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| 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 |
Which Industries Hire Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Most aircraft mechanics and service technicians work in these industries:
| 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 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- 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
The on-the-job environment of 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. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating 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)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for aircraft mechanics and service technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
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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