Aircraft mechanics and service technicians held about 136,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of aircraft mechanics and service technicians were as follows:
| Support activities for air transportation | 28% |
| Scheduled air transportation | 24 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 13 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 12 |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | 6 |
Avionics technicians held about 20,600 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of avionics technicians were as follows:
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 32% |
| Support activities for air transportation | 25 |
| Federal government | 8 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6 |
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields. They must meet strict deadlines while following safety standards.
Most of these mechanics and technicians work near major airports. They may work outside on the airfield, or in climate-controlled shops and hangars. Civilian aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians employed by the U.S. Armed Forces work on military installations.
Injuries and Illnesses
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians often lift heavy objects, handle dangerous chemicals, or operate large power tools. They may work on scaffolds or ladders, and noise and vibrations are common, especially when engines are being tested. Workers must take precautions against injuries, such as wearing ear protection and brightly colored vests to ensure that they are seen when working around large aircraft.
Work Schedules
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians usually work full time on rotating 8-hour shifts. Overtime and weekend work are common.
Some aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians learn their trade at an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved aviation maintenance technician school. Others are trained on the job or learn through training in the military. Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians typically are certified by the FAA. (See Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 65 , subparts D and E, for the most current requirements for becoming a certified mechanic.)
Education
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians typically enter the occupation after attending a Part 147 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school. These schools award a certificate of completion that the FAA recognizes as an alternative to the experience requirements stated in regulations. The schools also grant holders the right to take the relevant FAA exams.
Avionics technicians typically earn an associate’s degree before entering the occupation. Aircraft controls, systems, and flight instruments have become increasingly digital and computerized. Workers who have the proper background in aviation flight instruments or computer repair are needed to maintain these complex systems
Training
Some aircraft mechanics and service technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training to learn their skills and to be able to pass the FAA exams. Aviation maintenance personnel who are not certified by the FAA work under supervision until they have enough experience and knowledge and become certified.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The FAA requires that aircraft maintenance be done either by a certified mechanic with the appropriate ratings or authorizations or under the supervision of such a mechanic.
The FAA offers separate certifications for bodywork (Airframe mechanics, or “A”) and engine work (Powerplant mechanics, or “P”), but employers may prefer to hire mechanics who have both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. The A&P ratings generally certify that aviation mechanics meet basic knowledge and ability standards.
Mechanics must be at least 18 years of age, be fluent in English, and have 30 months of experience to qualify for either the A or the P rating or both (the A&P rating). Completion of a program at a Part 147 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school can substitute for the experience requirement and shorten the time requirements for becoming eligible to take the FAA exams.
Applicants must pass written, oral, and practical exams that demonstrate the required skills within a timeframe of 2 years.
To keep their certification, mechanics must have completed relevant repair or maintenance work within the previous 24 months. To fulfill this requirement, mechanics may take classes from their employer, a school, or an aircraft manufacturer.
The Inspection Authorization (IA) is available to mechanics who have had their A&P ratings for at least 3 years and meet other requirements. These mechanics are able to review and approve many major repairs and alterations.
Avionics technicians typically are certified through a repair station for the specific work they perform on aircraft, or they hold the Airframe rating to work on an aircraft’s electronic and flight instrument systems. An Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification is available through the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT) . It certifies that aviation mechanics have a basic level of knowledge in the subject area, but it is not required by the FAA for any specific tasks. Avionics technicians who work on communications equipment may need to have the proper radiotelephone operator certification issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Some avionics technicians begin their careers as aircraft mechanics and service technicians. As aircraft mechanics and service technicians gain experience, they may attend classes or otherwise choose to pursue additional certifications that grant privileges to work on specialized flight instruments. Eventually, they may become avionics technicians who work exclusively on flight instruments.
Advancement
As aircraft mechanics gain experience, they may advance to lead mechanic, lead inspector, or shop supervisor. Opportunities to advance may be best for those who have an inspection authorization (IA). Mechanics with broad experience in maintenance and repair may become inspectors or examiners for the FAA.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as an aircraft mechanic and avionics technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians should also possess the following specific qualities:
Agility. Mechanics and technicians need to climb on airplanes, balance, and reach without falling.
Detail oriented. Mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications. For example, they often use precision tools to tighten wheel bolts to an exact tension.
Dexterity. Mechanics and technicians must possess dexterity to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts.
Observational skills. Mechanics and technicians must recognize engine noises, read gauges, and otherwise collect information to determine whether an aircraft’s systems are working properly.
Troubleshooting skills. Mechanics and technicians diagnose complex problems and they need to evaluate options to correct those problems.
The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $64,090 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,070.
The median annual wage for avionics technicians was $65,700 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,150.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Scheduled air transportation | $89,820 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 67,180 |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | 60,350 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 60,070 |
| Support activities for air transportation | 54,920 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for avionics technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | $74,860 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 72,810 |
| Federal government | 58,530 |
| Support activities for air transportation | 56,020 |
Mechanics and technicians usually work full time on rotating 8-hour shifts. Overtime and weekend work are common.
Overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation (see table below).
Air traffic is expected to increase gradually over the coming decade, and will require additional aircraft maintenance, including that performed on new aircraft. Some airlines may outsource maintenance work to specialized maintenance and repair shops both domestically and abroad. This practice is expected to reduce employment growth opportunities in the air transportation industry over the next 10 years.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities are expected to be good because there will be a need to replace those workers leaving the occupation.
For more information about aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, visit
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association
Federal Aviation Administration
National Business Aviation Association
National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
CareerOneStop
For a career video on avionics technicians, visit