Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Career, Salary and Skills

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $79,870 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 138,090. Wage data is published for 260 locations.

Occupation description

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

O*NET code

49-3011.00

Job zone

3

Typical education

Post-Secondary Certificate

Experience

Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

National salary and employment

Median annual

$79,870

Hourly median

$38.40

Employment

138,090

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$48,780
10th
$62,630
25th
$79,870
Median
$99,130
75th
$128,890
90th

Top skills

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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.
  • Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
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Technology

  • Access Software AIRPAX
  • CaseBank SpotLight
  • Computerized aircraft log manager CALM
  • DatcoMedia EBis
  • Disassembler software
  • Engine analysis software
  • Maintenance information databases
  • Maintenance planning software
  • Maintenance record software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

All 260 locations →

Related careers

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.