Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
SOC: 49-3011 O*NET: 49-3011.00
Median Salary
$78,680
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
11.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
What does a Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$61,920
25th percentile
Median
$78,680
50th percentile
Experienced
$95,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$120,080
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,790
25th
$61,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,680
Mean: $80,780
75th
$95,050
90th
$120,080
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $72,290 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $61,920 and $95,050
- •Salary spread is 42.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 136,390 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:139,400
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation31.8%
Support Activities for Air Transportation31.6%
Air Transportation26.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:11,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)139,400
Current
2034 (Projected)145,000
+4%
+5,600
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
15,900 jobs$80,3201.30x
Florida
14,470 jobs$75,4601.67x
California
12,820 jobs$84,9100.80x
Oklahoma
8,020 jobs$72,3605.36x
Georgia
5,950 jobs$77,8801.39x
North Carolina
5,410 jobs$69,3201.25x
Tennessee
4,980 jobs$85,5801.72x
Arizona
4,620 jobs$77,1301.63x
Alabama
4,600 jobs$86,7802.49x
Washington
4,230 jobs$85,0101.35x
Illinois
3,780 jobs$79,7000.70x
Kentucky
3,450 jobs$72,3201.96x
Ohio
3,210 jobs$78,8700.66x
New York
2,940 jobs$93,2000.35x
Michigan
2,930 jobs$69,3700.75x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Repairing
100%
#2
Equipment Maintenance
94%
#3
Troubleshooting
86%
#4
Operations Monitoring
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
54%
#9
Operation and Control
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Repairing
advanced5.0
100%
Equipment Maintenance
advanced4.7
94%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.3
86%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Repairing
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Robotics Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Industrial Machinery Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General82%
5 shared skills
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers82%
5 shared skills
Wind Turbine Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Repairing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Repairing
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Measure the tension of control cables.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.93
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.52
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.38
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.21
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.18
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.16
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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