---
title: "Aircraft Mechanic Training Programs, Pay & Tuition"
canonical: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/
description: "Aircraft Mechanic pay: BLS average $84,740 (all experience levels), median $79,870, bottom 10% $48,780, top 10% $128,890+. Compare 499 listed programs…"
updated: 2026-11-03
wage_source: "BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15"
---

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3. Aircraft Mechanic
 O\*NET 49-3011.00 · Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels)

# Aircraft Mechanic training programs & *pay*

Average pay $84,740 (all experience levels); median $79,870; top 10% earn over $128,890. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians inspect, repair and overhaul airframes, engines and systems on airliners, cargo planes, helicopters and business jets. Most train at an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance school and then earn an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate.

- **$84,740** Average pay (U.S., all experience levels)
- **$48,780** Entry-level / bottom 10%
- **$79,870** Median pay (U.S.)
- **$128,890** Top 10% earn over

138,090 jobs nationwide · 499 listed programs in 48 states. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay.

Source: [BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). O\*NET 49-3011.00.

Highest-paying states (BLS median)

- [New Jersey $105k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-jersey/)
- [New York $103k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-york/)
- [Maryland $100k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/maryland/)
- [Washington $99k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/washington/)
- [Connecticut $97k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/connecticut/)

BLS wage data

## What aircraft mechanics earn

As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, aircraft mechanics in the United States earned an average (mean) of $84,740 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $79,870; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $48,780 and the top 10% earned more than $128,890.

Annual wages for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (SOC 49-3011) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. It is in our Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels) group: the national average (mean, all experience levels) is $84,740; the median is $79,870 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $48,780.

10th: $49k 25th: $63k Median: $80k 75th: $99k 90th: $129k

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| United States | $48,780 | $62,630 | $79,870 | $99,130 | $128,890 | $84,740 | 138,090 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. Hourly median $38.40.

Training & tuition

## What training costs

Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”

| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schools with published tuition (494) | $970 | $4,836 | $50,950 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
Ranges are computed only from rows with a sourced figure. We never estimate tuition.

### Occupation profile

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| O\*NET-SOC code | [49-3011.00](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3011.00) |
| O\*NET title | Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians |
| BLS SOC | 49-3011 |
| Job zone | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Aircraft Maintainer, Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech), Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Restorer, Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech), Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech) |

### Typical tasks (O\*NET)

- 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.

Programs

## Featured aircraft mechanic programs

12 of 499 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. Pick a state below for the full list.

| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amarillo College](https://www.actx.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 14 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Amarillo College](https://www.actx.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Associate degree | 7 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Amarillo College](https://www.actx.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Amarillo College](https://www.actx.edu/) Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 14 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| [Andrews University](https://www.andrews.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Berrien Springs, MI | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $36,454 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Antelope Valley Community College District](https://www.avc.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 7 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Antelope Valley Community College District](https://www.avc.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Associate degree | 111 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Antelope Valley Community College District](https://www.avc.edu/) Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 352 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| [Antelope Valley Community College District](https://www.avc.edu/) Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 11 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| [Antelope Valley Community College District](https://www.avc.edu/) Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Associate degree | 9 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| [Arkansas Northeastern College](https://www.anc.edu/) Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Blytheville, AR | Certificate (1-2 years) | 4 | $2,960–$4,760 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| [Arkansas Northeastern College](https://www.anc.edu/) Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Blytheville, AR | Associate degree | 0 | $2,960–$4,760 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
Schools: NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code; “Graduates 2023-24” is the number of first-major certificates or associate degrees the school awarded in that program from July 2023 to June 2024 (IPEDS). Tuition: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (updated 2026-10-15), matched by IPEDS unit ID; it is the published figure, not a quote. Apprenticeship sponsors: DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file (retrieved 2026-10-29); apprenticeships are typically paid, so no tuition is listed — contact the program.

By state

## Aircraft Mechanic pay and programs by state

Highest state medians:

- [New Jersey $105k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-jersey/)
- [New York $103k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-york/)
- [Maryland $100k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/maryland/)
- [Washington $99k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/washington/)
- [Connecticut $97k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/connecticut/)

| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/alabama/) | 15 | $82,260 | $98,440 | 4,310 |
| [Alaska](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/alaska/) | 5 | $91,150 | $122,880 | 1,470 |
| [Arizona](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/arizona/) | 11 | $75,300 | $121,480 | 5,670 |
| [Arkansas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/arkansas/) | 14 | $65,420 | $78,690 | 720 |
| [California](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/california/) | 85 | $86,100 | $116,690 | 12,590 |
| [Colorado](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/colorado/) | 4 | $82,080 | $130,160 | 2,690 |
| [Connecticut](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/connecticut/) | 1 | $96,830 | $127,050 | 1,430 |
| [Delaware](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/delaware/) | 4 | $83,550 | $116,370 | 240 |
| [Florida](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/florida/) | 34 | $76,940 | $130,190 | 14,850 |
| [Georgia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/georgia/) | 40 | $75,640 | $133,250 | 6,720 |
| Guam | 0 | $62,760 | $92,880 | 80 |
| [Hawaii](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/hawaii/) | 2 | $90,830 | $130,560 | 1,150 |
| [Idaho](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/idaho/) | 5 | $61,250 | $98,260 | 600 |
| [Illinois](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/illinois/) | 12 | $81,680 | $130,950 | 3,370 |
| [Indiana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/indiana/) | 6 | $63,400 | $90,060 | 1,500 |
| [Iowa](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/iowa/) | 9 | $69,890 | $93,130 | 330 |
| [Kansas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/kansas/) | 7 | $80,270 | $98,070 | 1,440 |
| [Kentucky](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/kentucky/) | 19 | $67,920 | $156,910 | 1,680 |
| [Louisiana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/louisiana/) | 12 | $79,780 | $107,830 | 1,150 |
| [Maine](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/maine/) | 1 | $67,890 | $118,500 | 190 |
| [Maryland](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/maryland/) | 2 | $100,500 | $121,100 | 1,070 |
| [Massachusetts](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/massachusetts/) | 5 | $93,040 | $133,400 | 1,410 |
| [Michigan](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/michigan/) | 12 | $74,900 | $118,100 | 3,380 |
| [Minnesota](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/minnesota/) | 8 | $81,980 | $133,020 | 2,390 |
| [Mississippi](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/mississippi/) | 3 | $74,880 | $88,340 | 1,360 |
| [Missouri](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/missouri/) | 4 | $71,470 | $97,160 | 1,700 |
| [Montana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/montana/) | 3 | $64,170 | $97,200 | 310 |
| [Nebraska](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/nebraska/) | 3 | $64,020 | $98,020 | 410 |
| [Nevada](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/nevada/) | 2 | $94,890 | $113,290 | 2,570 |
| [New Hampshire](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-hampshire/) | 2 | $79,610 | $99,910 | 190 |
| [New Jersey](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-jersey/) | 1 | $105,370 | $133,790 | 1,900 |
| [New Mexico](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-mexico/) | 8 | $84,440 | $99,020 | 860 |
| [New York](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/new-york/) | 7 | $102,800 | $240,310 | 4,300 |
| [North Carolina](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/north-carolina/) | 11 | $76,980 | $112,050 | 4,700 |
| North Dakota | 0 | $77,740 | $99,170 | 200 |
| [Ohio](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/ohio/) | 9 | $80,570 | $132,850 | 2,840 |
| [Oklahoma](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/oklahoma/) | 15 | $74,390 | $108,770 | 8,550 |
| [Oregon](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/oregon/) | 9 | $82,850 | $135,770 | 1,080 |
| [Pennsylvania](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/pennsylvania/) | 5 | $78,000 | $136,510 | 2,080 |
| [Puerto Rico](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/puerto-rico/) | 3 | $45,100 | $87,730 | 610 |
| Rhode Island | 0 | $70,720 | $96,530 | 120 |
| [South Carolina](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/south-carolina/) | 3 | $75,160 | $84,600 | 1,660 |
| [South Dakota](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/south-dakota/) | 2 | $75,750 | $89,360 | 150 |
| [Tennessee](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/tennessee/) | 10 | $81,040 | $167,410 | 4,670 |
| [Texas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/texas/) | 36 | $84,440 | $122,180 | 16,850 |
| [Utah](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/utah/) | 3 | $70,160 | $104,550 | 2,080 |
| [Vermont](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/vermont/) | 1 | $76,370 | $98,810 | 160 |
| [Virginia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/virginia/) | 10 | $82,200 | $125,170 | 2,260 |
| [Washington](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/washington/) | 29 | $98,980 | $117,740 | 4,480 |
| [West Virginia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/west-virginia/) | 3 | $45,470 | $78,710 | 590 |
| [Wisconsin](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/wisconsin/) | 4 | $73,930 | $99,850 | 1,270 |
| Wyoming | 0 | $56,680 | $99,540 | 340 |
State wages: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. “—” means BLS did not publish an estimate for that state. States without a link have no listed programs yet.

Related resources

## Keep researching

Hand-picked pages on our sister sites.

[**Trade schools approved for the GI Bill** Search programs that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.com](https://veterantradeschools.com/) [**Registered apprenticeships in Texas** The full DOL sponsor list for the state. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com](https://registeredtradeschools.com/apprenticeships/tx/)

FAQ

## Aircraft Mechanic pay and training: quick answers

### How much do aircraft mechanics make?

As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, aircraft mechanics in the United States earned an average (mean) of $84,740 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $79,870; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $48,780 and the top 10% earned more than $128,890.

### What is entry-level pay for aircraft mechanics?

BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $48,780 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $79,870.

### Which states pay aircraft mechanics the most?

By BLS average (mean) annual wage, the top states are New York ($137,860), New Jersey ($110,880), Massachusetts ($96,210), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

### How many aircraft mechanic training programs are listed?

We list 499 in 48 states: 499 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (10,861 graduates that year). Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.

### How much does aircraft mechanic training cost?

For the 494 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $970 to $50,950 (middle $4,836). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.

## Sources

- **Wages:** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 ([news release USDL-26-0725](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm); [data tables](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- **Occupation:** O\*NET OnLine, [49-3011.00 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3011.00), retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- **Apprenticeship sponsors:** U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 ([Partner Finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/partner-finder)).
- **Schools & graduates:** U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024\_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code ([completions file](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip); [CIP-SOC crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx)).
- **Tuition:** U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID ([source](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/)).

Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.

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Canonical HTML: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). Programs: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions; DOL Office of Apprenticeship. Tuition: College Scorecard.