Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn a median salary of $78,680 per year, ranking in the top 25% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn?

The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $78,680. That puts aircraft mechanics and service technicians at #201 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is aircraft mechanics and service technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is +4.0%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 139K positions in 2024 to 145K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do aircraft mechanics and service technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working aircraft mechanics and service technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
2. 2.Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
3. 3.Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
4. 4.Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
5. 5.Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
6. 6.Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
7. 7.Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
8. 8.Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.

Top skills for aircraft mechanics and service technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become aircraft mechanics and service technician?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
  $100,940 median
• Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
  $92,560 median
• Signal and Track Switch Repairers
  $83,600 median
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
  $82,730 median
• Avionics Technicians
  $81,390 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
  $78,300 median

Common questions parents ask about aircraft mechanics and service technicians