Key Takeaways
- Aviation mechanics work in hangars, repair stations, or airports, inspecting and repairing planes so that they are reliable and safe for takeoff.
- To become an aviation mechanic, you’ll need to attend an FAA-accredited aviation mechanic school and get certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- The average salary for an aviation mechanic in 2025 is $75,020, with about 13,400 job openings each year.
Thinking your career path is leading you to be in the aviation industry? If you like planes, solving problems, and working with your hands, an aviation mechanic might be just the job for you. But before you make the call, let’s cover all you need to know about aviation mechanic school, including what you’ll be learning, what certifications you need, and the jobs you can get.
What Are Aviation Mechanics?
Aviation mechanics are in charge of making sure that an aircraft is safe and reliable before taking off. While some mechanics choose to specialize in a certain area of aircraft maintenance, such as engines or airframe structures, most mechanics typically work on all parts of the plane. They generally work for an airline, at repair organizations, or in commercial aviation. Their responsibilities include:
- Inspecting and testing the aircraft’s systems.
- Repairing or replacing the wings, brakes, or other electrical systems.
- Ensuring the aircraft meets the required FAA standards.
- Troubleshooting mechanical problems.
- Keeping records of all maintenance work.
What Can I Expect From Aviation Mechanic School?
Before working in the aviation industry, you’ll first need to attend and graduate from an FAA-approved aviation mechanic school. While in school, you’ll experience a mixture of hands-on and classroom learning to gain the technical knowledge and skills that are needed to earn a mechanic certification. Throughout your program, you’ll explore many topics related to aviation, including:
- How to problem-solve and troubleshoot.
- How to maintain fuel system operations.
- How to keep engines from overheating.
- How electrical components work.
- Learning general mechanics.
- Learning the FAA regulations, rules, and standards.
- How to work with different materials.
- How to do a routine service check.
- Learning basic electrical skills.
- Understanding the complete structure of an aircraft.
How Long Does It Take To Complete Aviation Mechanic School?
Most aviation mechanics complete their certification within 18-24 months. You’ll also need 30 months of on-the-job training before you can apply for your FAA certification.
What Licenses or Certifications Will I Need from Aviation Mechanic School?
You will need to get certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before getting an entry-level position. The FAA certificate has two ratings: Airframe (A) and Powerplant (P). An Airframe rating lets you work on the body of a plane, while a Powerplant rating lets you work on the engine. Some mechanics only have one of these, but many employers prefer to hire people who have both. This is known as an Aircraft & Powerplant (A&P) certificate. You must be able to pass all required tests within 24 months and meet the requirements for at least one of the ratings—A, P, or both.
What Skills Will I Need?
While you’ll certainly develop many skills during your aviation mechanic program, there are important skills that will help you succeed:
- Detail-Oriented: Remember, it’s not just a plane that you are working on—you’re ensuring it’s safe, reliable, and ready for flight for everyone on board. This is why your attention to detail will be critical.
- Precision: You must be very careful and accurate, aiming to be exactly right in everything you do.
- Observant: There will be a lot going on at one time around you. It is helpful if you are aware of your surroundings at all times—even when you are in the middle of a job. You’ll need to be able to recognize unusual noises from the plane or read gauges to make sure the plane is working correctly.
- Physical Strength: You’ll be carrying heavy equipment and climbing on planes, so you want to ensure you have good physical strength.
- Problem-Solving: Fixing an aircraft doesn’t always come with an instruction manual. You will often have to rely on your knowledge and skills to solve a problem.
- Time Management: How quickly can you work to finish a project? Planes need to be in the air, so you’ll need to be able to move at an efficient pace so the pilots can transport people and cargo on schedule.
- Adaptability: Aircraft issues can be unpredictable at times, so it helps if you are flexible and able to adjust on the spot.
How To Choose the Best Aviation Mechanic School
When looking for an aviation mechanic school, you’ll first want to ensure it’s an FAA-accredited school. The best programs will be ones that have extensive hands-on training, high job placement rates, and affordable tuition and financial aid options. Here’s a list of schools to get you started on your search:
- National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay (Other campus options available)
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Charlotte (Other campus options available)
- MIAT College of Technology
- National Aviation Academy of New England
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Where Can I Work as an Aviation Mechanic?
If you’re thinking about a career in aviation mechanics, there are a range of entry-level positions that you could land after graduation. Here’s where you could start:
- Airline Companies: Regional or commercial airlines hire mechanics to inspect, repair, and maintain their aircraft. According to Flying Magazine, the major airlines that are hiring mechanics in 2025 are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines.
- Corporate and Private Aviation: Dream of working on business or private jets? Look for job openings for companies like NetJets, Gulfstream, or Signature Aviation.
- Aircraft Manufacturers: Some mechanics go straight to work for companies that design and build airplanes. These mechanics work on planes in a testing facility, like Boeing or AirBus, before they ever hit the runway.
- Military and Government Facilities: The U.S. Military, NASA, and even the U.S. Forest Service all use aircraft. This could be a great way to combine an additional passion you have with aviation mechanics.
- FAA Repair Stations: If fixing and maintaining aircraft parts sounds interesting, you could end up working at an FAA-certified repair station, working on everything from landing gear to hydraulics.
The Job Outlook for Aviation Mechanics
Here are the projected growth rate and median salary statistics for aviation mechanics:
- Salary: The average salary for an aviation mechanic is $75,020. The highest 10 percent earned more than $114,750.
- Projected Growth (%): Aviation mechanic jobs are projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033.
- Job Openings: There are about 13,400 job openings predicted each year for aviation mechanics.
Is Aviation Mechanics for You?
Being an aviation mechanic could be a great job for anyone who loves aviation and working with their hands to solve problems. If you’re interested in this career path, talk to your guidance counselor or a trusted adult to discuss the next steps for your future. After all, the sky’s the limit!
Still not sure what career is for you? Use College Raptor’s Career Finder to look at any job’s projected growth, median wages, ideal majors, necessary skills, and more—all for FREE!
