Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Also called: 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
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
What aircraft mechanics and service technicians do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.
- Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary
The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $79,870 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $48,780 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $128,890. The mean annual wage is $84,740.
The mean hourly wage of $40.00 is 5.5× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $79,870 → in 3 years $87,900 → in 5 years $93,700 → in 10 years $109,900 (10-year range $94,500–$127,600). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians United States | 航空整備士 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $79,870 | ¥5.98M ≈ $38,028 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $109,900 | ¥8.44M |
| Outlook score | 65 | 72 |
| AI replacement risk | 27% Low | 36% Low |
| Workers | 138K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become aircraft mechanics and service technicians
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.