Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians keep aircraft in working order, combining hands-on mechanical work with careful inspection and problem solving. Nationally, about 139,000 people work in this occupation, supported by a projected 4.0% employment growth and around 11,000 annual openings. This combination suggests ongoing demand for new entrants as well as opportunities for experienced technicians to move between employers or locations. The national median salary of $78,680 reflects the technical nature of the work and the need for fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and attention to detail. Success in this field draws on strong mechanical aptitude, science knowledge, and critical and analytical thinking, supported by clear writing and reading skills. Leadership, creativity, and innovation can also contribute to advancement and effectiveness on the job. For people who enjoy practical, problem-focused work and are comfortable with technical systems, this career offers a structured entry path and a range of geographic options to consider.
The national median annual salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $78,680, with notable variation across states and metro areas. Several states offer higher median pay, including New York at $102,800, Washington at $98,980, and Massachusetts at $93,040. California and Colorado also exceed the national median, at $86,100 and $82,080 respectively. At the metro level, some areas stand out for especially high median salaries: New York-Newark-Jersey City reports $127,140, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara offers $98,760 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria provides $93,910. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton both hover in the low $90,000s. These figures show that earnings can vary significantly based on location, and that certain states and metros combine higher pay with strong overall opportunity scores. Job seekers can use these patterns to weigh potential moves or target higher-paying regions.
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians have a national employment base of about 139,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 4.0%. This growth is paired with approximately 11,000 annual openings, indicating a steady flow of opportunities from new positions, retirements, and other workforce changes. The 4.0% projected growth rate appears consistently across top states and metro areas listed, suggesting a broadly similar growth outlook in those highlighted regions. For individuals entering the field or considering a career change, these numbers point to ongoing hiring needs rather than a shrinking or highly volatile market. The combination of a sizable existing workforce and regular openings may support both entry-level candidates meeting the education requirement and experienced technicians looking to relocate, specialize, or pursue roles with higher responsibility. Overall, the employment outlook shows stability with room for new talent over the coming years.
Location plays a major role in career planning for aircraft mechanics and service technicians, with several states and metro areas offering particularly strong opportunities. Among states, California leads in employment with 12,590 workers and a median salary of $86,100, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Washington both combine high median salaries—$102,800 and $98,980—with solid employment levels of 4,300 and 4,480, respectively. Massachusetts and Colorado also offer competitive pay and opportunity scores above 55. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with a median salary of $127,140, 5,110 employed, and an opportunity score of 77.27. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has the highest metro opportunity score at 77.42, with a median salary of $98,760. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton. Together, these patterns highlight multiple regions where pay, employment, and opportunity scores are all attractive.
The typical education for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means most workers complete formal education beyond high school without earning a full college degree, providing a defined entry route for students who prefer focused technical training. Success in this occupation depends on a mix of hands-on and cognitive skills. Mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina support the physical and technical demands of the work. Detail orientation and problem solving and decision making are critical for identifying issues and choosing appropriate solutions. Science knowledge, critical and analytical thinking, and writing and reading skills help technicians understand technical information and document their work clearly. Leadership and creativity and innovation can contribute to coordinating tasks and improving processes. For prospective workers, building this skill set alongside the required postsecondary training is key to preparing for entry and long-term growth in the field.
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