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
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 4.88 | 5.38 |
| Repairing | 4.88 | 4.38 |
| Troubleshooting | 4.50 | 4.38 |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.25 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 3.50 |
| Operation and Control | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | 3.62 | 3.25 |
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.
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
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in TXMedian $84,440 · Employment 16,850
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in FLMedian $76,940 · Employment 14,850
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in CAMedian $86,100 · Employment 12,590
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in OKMedian $74,390 · Employment 8,550
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $94,920 · Employment 8,000
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in GAMedian $75,640 · Employment 6,720
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in Miami, FLMedian $78,260 · Employment 6,460
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in AZMedian $75,300 · Employment 5,670
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $127,140 · Employment 5,110
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $83,250 · Employment 5,020
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in NCMedian $76,980 · Employment 4,700
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary in TNMedian $81,040 · Employment 4,670
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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.