Installation, maintenance and repair
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Median pay
$79,870
Growth to 2035
+5%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
11,400
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to aircraft mechanics and service technicians
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians: 24% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Aircraft Maintainer · Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech) · Aircraft Mechanic · Aircraft Restorer · Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech) · Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech) · Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A and P Mechanic) · Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)
Outlook and AI
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians held 140,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 147,600 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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