Having a high school education or equivalent to working as an aviation mechanic would be best. You may also need certification from an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school to work and earn as an aircraft mechanic.
If you’re thinking about becoming an aviation mechanic but aren’t sure if it’s a financially lucrative field, you should read this article carefully.
In this post, we’ll look at the many career options for aircraft mechanics, as well as the qualifications to become an aviation technician and the aircraft mechanic income.
Table of contents
- What Is The Role Of An Aircraft Mechanic?
- Aircraft Mechanic Salary By State
- What are The States with the Highest Demand for Aircraft Mechanics?
- Which Companies Pay the Highest Salary for Aircraft Mechanics?
- What Skills Do You Need To Be An Aircraft Mechanic?
- What is the Best Way to Become an Aircraft Mechanic?
- FAQs Aircraft Mechanic Salary
- Conclusion
- References
Is Aircraft Mechanic worth it?
Whether a career as an Aircraft Mechanic depends on your interests, goals, and priorities, here are some potential pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- Job security: There is a growing demand for skilled aircraft mechanics, particularly as the global aviation industry expands.
- Good pay: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the United States is over $65,000.
- Opportunities for advancement: With experience and additional certifications, you may be able to advance to roles such as lead mechanic or inspector.
- Technical skills: As an aircraft mechanic, you’ll gain specialized technical skills that can be applied across industries.
Cons:
- Physical demands: The job can be physically demanding and may require working in tight or uncomfortable spaces.
- Safety risks: Working with aircraft can be dangerous, so strict safety protocols must always be followed.
- Technical training: Becoming an aircraft mechanic requires specialized training and certification, which can be time-consuming and costly.
- Work hours: Mechanics may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in emergencies.
Ultimately, whether a career as an Aircraft Mechanic is worth, it depends on your interests, career goals, and willingness to undergo technical training and certification. It’s a career that offers job security, good pay, and opportunities for advancement, but it also requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety.
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What Is The Role Of An Aircraft Mechanic?
While we are discussing the aircraft mechanic salary, it is important to briefly discuss who an aircraft mechanic is as well as what the role of an aircraft mechanic is.
Air travel is one of the safest kinds of transportation accessible today, and both the military and the commercial sectors rely on it to function correctly. Because of the high demand in the airline industry, it’s also essential to keep the planes in good working order.
As a result, it appears that demand for aviation mechanics has risen over time. Routine maintenance on all types of aircraft is the responsibility of airplane mechanics.
On flying devices like helicopters and airplanes, an aviation mechanic recognizes dangerous aircraft conditions, conducts maintenance, and repairs, and replaces parts.
They ensure that all mechanical components of an aircraft meet operational and safety requirements. The following is a detailed list of the duties of an aviation mechanic:
1. Performing Inspections on Aircraft Systems
The components of an airplane are examined during an aircraft inspection. Aviation mechanics do routine checks to uncover any flaws and verify that an aircraft is ready to fly.
2. Operational Issues Diagnosis
An airplane mechanic conducts tests to determine the underlying cause of a problem. They may do diagnostics on an aircraft’s electrical systems, engines, safety devices, and other components.
3. Aircraft Parts Measuring
This entails using gauges and other scientific devices to detect minute degrees of wear and corrosion over time on aircraft parts.
4. Instructional guides are read and analyzed
Manuals are also used by aircraft mechanics to learn about special gear and troubleshoot problems.
5. Mechanical Parts Cleaning
Cleaning the interior and outside of an aircraft regularly helps aircraft mechanics improve ongoing maintenance. They clean mechanical parts to keep the plane in the finest possible condition and avoid harmful rusting, corrosion, or chemical buildup.
6. Updating Records of Maintenance
Detailed records are required to comply with industry regulations and to ensure the safety of flight passengers at all times. Aircraft mechanics are responsible for recording and tracking all of their maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, as well as how their work influenced the aircraft’s performance.
Now that you know what an aviation technician does, let’s look at how much an aircraft mechanic makes.
While you’re here, you can check out: 15 Jobs To Make 6 Figures Salary in 2023
Aircraft Mechanic Salary By State
There are numerous factors that go into determining how much you may anticipate earning, there is some excellent data on average pay for aviation mechanics by the state in the United States, broken down by seniority level.
While your city’s pay may fluctuate significantly from the state average, these statistics might give you an idea of what to expect.
Here’s a quick rundown of the top 10 states in terms of aircraft mechanic pay:
- Minnesota $78,130
- Illinois $76,030
- Georgia $74,080
- Texas $71,440
- Missouri $68,020
- Kentucky $68,630
- Indiana $67,330
- Mississippi $67,130
- Iowa $67,270
- Tennessee $66,470
Aircraft Mechanic Earnings By Experience
The most significant component in determining compensation is the number of years of experience you have.
Aircraft mechanics with less than two years of experience earn around $31,400 per year.
Someone with two to five years of experience may expect to make 38,500 USD per year, which is 23% more than someone with less than two years.
Moving forward, a salary of 54,600 USD per year is earned by someone with five to 10 years of experience, which is 42 percent more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Aircraft Mechanics with ten to fifteen years of experience earn a compensation of 63,800 USD per year, which is 17% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If you have fifteen to twenty years of experience, you can expect to earn 70,100 USD a year, which is 10% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Finally, individuals with more than twenty years of professional experience earn 74,200 USD per year, which is 6% more than those with fifteen to twenty years.
- 0 – 2 Years – $31,400
- 2 – 5 Years – $38,500
- 5 – 10 Years – $54,600
- 10 – 15 Years – $63,800
- 15 – 20 Years – $70,100
- 20years+ – $74,200
What are The States with the Highest Demand for Aircraft Mechanics?
The States with the highest demands for aircraft mechanic is also coincidentally one of the highest paying states. They are:
- Alaska – $70,420
- New York – $62,637
- Vermont – $59,840
- Nevada – $52,810
- Connecticut – $60,471
- Delaware – $63,209
Which Companies Pay the Highest Salary for Aircraft Mechanics?
- Company Salary for Aircraft Mechanics
- American Airlines $93,504
- United Airlines $73,244
- Delta Airlines $71,575
- Lockheed Martin $68,520
- Boeing $62,968
- US Marine $37,135
- Air National Guard $61,278
- Northrop Grumman $57,177
- US Air Force $50,154
- US Army $47,680
Now that you’ve learned about the numerous jobs of an aircraft mechanic as well as the income of an aircraft mechanic, it’s clear that this is a fantastic career path to choose; thus, if you have a love for the aviation business, you may study it. Let’s take a look at the abilities needed to work as an airplane mechanic, as well as how to get started.
What Skills Do You Need To Be An Aircraft Mechanic?
Basically, to work as an aircraft technician, you’ll need a combination of soft skills and technical knowledge. As a consequence, focusing on a few important areas will help you prepare for a career as an aviation mechanic.
Some of the most significant abilities for becoming an aircraft mechanic are as follows:
Attention to details
Minor mechanical irregularities may create considerable problems in an airplane, therefore aviation technicians must have excellent attention to detail. Paying attention to detail helps airplane mechanics identify anything out of place or damaged, so they must have extraordinary attention to detail.
Troubleshooting ability
To discover the source of mechanical faults in their vehicles, aircraft technicians apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities. Troubleshooting requires using logic and reasoning to deconstruct all probable causes for a problem that arises in an aircraft.
Endurance
An airplane repair is a physically difficult task that demands strength and stamina. You must be able to concentrate and persevere through any discomfort until the job is accomplished. Aircraft technicians may spend several hours on a single repair assignment, so you must be able to concentrate and persevere through any discomfort until the job is completed.
Comprehension
When understanding manuals, blueprints, and maintenance instructions, aircraft technicians use their reading comprehension abilities. As a result, the ability to read and interpret the manual is required.
Communication
Communication and collaboration with engineers, pilots and other technicians are essential for an aircraft mechanic’s success. To adequately describe fixes in maintenance reports, you should be able to communicate effectively in writing.
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What is the Best Way to Become an Aircraft Mechanic?
Because the work of an aircraft mechanic is so specialized, there are specific requirements you must satisfy to be considered for the position. Aviation mechanics can be trained in a variety of methods, including through formal education or job experience.
The following is a step-by-step process to becoming an aviation mechanic:
Become a student in a technical school.
The first step in becoming an aircraft mechanic is to enroll in a technical school that is accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Before going on to 750 hours of the specialist airframe or engine training, you’ll need to spend a significant amount of time at Aircraft Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) learning the fundamentals of aviation mechanics.
Before you can start earning an aviation mechanic income, you’ll need to learn all of the elements and components that make different types of aircraft operate in technical school.
Obtain a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
One of the most fundamental requirements for becoming an aviation mechanic is high school graduation. To start the process of becoming an aviation mechanic and earning an aircraft mechanic income, you must have a high school diploma or a GED.
If at all feasible, take optional classes in the subject of aircraft mechanics. Courses in math, physics, engineering, and construction can all help you lay the groundwork for a future as an aviation mechanic.
Choose a specialty
Before you begin polishing your technical talents, decide what sort of aircraft mechanic you want to be. The FAA recognizes two sub-specialties for aircraft mechanics: airframe mechanics and powerplant mechanics.
Airframe aircraft mechanics are in charge of the plane’s whole structure and interface systems, whilst engine aircraft mechanics are in charge of the plane’s engines and fuel systems’ construction, maintenance, and repair.
So, before you can enroll, graduate, and start earning an aviation mechanic income, you must determine which of them you desire.
Exams for FAA certification must be completed.
After you’ve completed the required schooling or work experience, you’ll need to study for the certification exam, which includes written exams, oral interviews, and field assessments, before you can start working and earning the aviation mechanic wage.
After passing the written test, you must additionally complete a practical demonstration and an in-person interview with an experienced examiner. Sample examinations and other resources are available on the FAA website to help you prepare for your exam before you schedule it.
Obtain inspection permission.
Basically, after three years of experience as an aircraft mechanic, you can apply for Inspection Authorization. IA is the advanced, expert-level qualification for aircraft mechanics.
IA certified aviation mechanics can conduct FAA-mandated aircraft inspections, sign off on significant repairs, and establish their repair facilities. You may earn a lot of money as an aviation mechanic if you have this qualification.
FAQs Aircraft Mechanic Salary
An aviation mechanic is responsible for recognizing dangerous aircraft conditions, doing maintenance and repairs on air-flying vehicles like helicopters and airplanes, and changing and replacing parts, including instruments, wiring, and tires.
Aircraft mechanics work shifts of eight hours. Extra weekend hours and overtime are usually available.
Because airplane mechanics are in high demand, their salaries are generally substantial, and you may expect good income and perks. Health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, retirement, and other paid time off are just a few of the perks.
There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. To work as a professional aviation technician and make a good wage as an aircraft mechanic. You must be willing to study, learn from your mistakes, and gain information through experiences and other materials.
The kind of curriculum determines the tuition rate for an aircraft mechanic school. On the other hand, some students pay anything from $10,000 to $30,000 to finish a two-year certificate program.
Conclusion
An aviation mechanic’s profession may be very lucrative, but you’ll need a sharp eye for detail, a profound grasp of planes, and, most importantly, thorough training to succeed.
Also, you may need certification from an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school or a high school diploma or equivalent to work and earn as an aircraft mechanic.
We hope this post has helped you understand why you should pursue a profession in aviation and the compensation of an aircraft mechanic.
References
- Indeed.com
- Salary.com– aircraft mechanic jet salary
- Letu.edu- How to Become an aircraft mechanic
- Glassdoor.com
- Zippia.com
- Careerkarma.com
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