Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians

Aviation Careers

Mean Salary (US)

$65,550

PROJECTED JOB OUTLOOK 2020-30​

11%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm

Table of Contents

What do Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians do?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), the U.S. Department of Labor’s principal fact- finding agency for the federal government in the field of labor, economics, and statistics that provides data on employment and wages, Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.

Duties

Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians typically do the following:

• Diagnose mechanical or electrical problems
• Repair wings, brakes, electrical systems, and other aircraft components
• Replace defective parts, using hand tools or power tools
• Examine replacement aircraft parts for defects
• Read maintenance manuals to identify repair procedures
• Test aircraft parts with gauges and other diagnostic equipment
• Inspect completed work to ensure that it meets performance standards
• Keep records of maintenance and repair work

Airplanes require reliable parts and maintenance in order to fly safely. To keep an airplane in operating condition, Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections. They must follow detailed regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that dictate maintenance schedules for different operations.

Many mechanics are generalists and work on many different types of aircraft, such as jets, piston-driven airplanes, and helicopters. Others specialize in one section, such as the engine, hydraulic system, or electrical system, of a particular type of aircraft. In independent repair shops, mechanics usually inspect and repair many types of aircraft.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm

How much do Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians get paid on average?*

According to BLS, the median annual wage was $65,380 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians and $69,280 for avionics technicians in May 2021.

These numbers may vary based on geography and labor market.

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm

Best-paying states for Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians**

According to the BLS, states that pay Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians with the highest average annual salary are Maryland ($84,240), New Jersey ($81,130), and Connecticut ($81,110).

**Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”). Data as of March 2022

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Aircraft Mechanics and Technicians Job Outlook***

According to BLS, overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 14,400 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

***Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm

Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians Job Skills and Knowledge

According to O*NET Resource Center, people in this career often have these skills:

• Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology – Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Source: O*NET Resource Center

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