How long does the training take?

Typically a few months to two years for the certificate. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do aircraft mechanics and service technicians make?

The US median is $79,870 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.

Where can you train for this work?

187 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Aircraft mechanics and service technicians: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Repair & mechanics · SOC 49-3011

$79,870US median pay, 2025

+5.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

11,400Openings per year

CertificateUsual way in

How you get in

A certificate or short program is the usual way in.

Postsecondary nondegree award
Work in: aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0607	138
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0608	88
Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician	CIP 01.0205	36

See the 187 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically a few months to two years for the certificate. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do aircraft mechanics and service technicians make?: The US median is $79,870 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train for this work?: 187 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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