How much does a aircraft mechanic make?
The median aircraft mechanic in the United States earns $79,870 per year, about $38.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aircraft mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-3011.
Aircraft mechanic salary range
Pay for aircraft mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,780 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,890. The average (mean) wage of $84,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,780 | $23.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,630 | $30.11 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,870 | $38.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,130 | $47.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,890 | $61.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Aircraft mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aircraft mechanics earn the most in New Jersey at $105,370 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $45,470. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $105,370 | 1,900 |
| New York | $102,800 | 4,300 |
| Maryland | $100,500 | 1,070 |
| Washington | $98,980 | 4,480 |
| Connecticut | $96,830 | 1,430 |
| Nevada | $94,890 | 2,570 |
| Massachusetts | $93,040 | 1,410 |
| Alaska | $91,150 | 1,470 |
| Hawaii | $90,830 | 1,150 |
| California | $86,100 | 12,590 |
| New Mexico | $84,440 | 860 |
| Texas | $84,440 | 16,850 |
| Delaware | $83,550 | 240 |
| Oregon | $82,850 | 1,080 |
| Alabama | $82,260 | 4,310 |
| Virginia | $82,200 | 2,260 |
| Colorado | $82,080 | 2,690 |
| Minnesota | $81,980 | 2,390 |
| Illinois | $81,680 | 3,370 |
| Tennessee | $81,040 | 4,670 |
| Ohio | $80,570 | 2,840 |
| Kansas | $80,270 | 1,440 |
| Louisiana | $79,780 | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $79,610 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,000 | 2,080 |
| North Dakota | $77,740 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $76,980 | 4,700 |
| Florida | $76,940 | 14,850 |
| Vermont | $76,370 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $75,750 | 150 |
| Georgia | $75,640 | 6,720 |
| Arizona | $75,300 | 5,670 |
| South Carolina | $75,160 | 1,660 |
| Michigan | $74,900 | 3,380 |
| Mississippi | $74,880 | 1,360 |
| Oklahoma | $74,390 | 8,550 |
| Wisconsin | $73,930 | 1,270 |
| Missouri | $71,470 | 1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $70,720 | 120 |
| Utah | $70,160 | 2,080 |
| Iowa | $69,890 | 330 |
| Kentucky | $67,920 | 1,680 |
| Maine | $67,890 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $65,420 | 720 |
| Montana | $64,170 | 310 |
| Nebraska | $64,020 | 410 |
| Indiana | $63,400 | 1,500 |
| Idaho | $61,250 | 600 |
| Wyoming | $56,680 | 340 |
| West Virginia | $45,470 | 590 |
State median wages for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aircraft mechanics
The BLS projects employment of aircraft mechanics to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 140,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 147,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,400 openings a year for aircraft mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aircraft mechanic
The typical entry-level education for aircraft mechanics is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aircraft mechanic earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $105,370) and the lowest (West Virginia, $45,470) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 138,090 people work as aircraft mechanics in the United States. At $79,870 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aircraft mechanic salary FAQ
How much does an aircraft mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aircraft mechanic is $38.40. The middle half of aircraft mechanics earn between $30.11 and $47.66 per hour.
What is the highest aircraft mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aircraft mechanics earn more than $128,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aircraft mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for an aircraft mechanic is $79,870. The average (mean) wage of $84,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aircraft mechanic a well paid job?
At $79,870 a year, an aircraft mechanic earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 138,090 people work as aircraft mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays aircraft mechanics the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for aircraft mechanics at $105,370 a year. New York ($102,800) and Maryland ($100,500) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an aircraft mechanic a good career?
Employment of aircraft mechanics is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aircraft mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aircraft mechanics as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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