Aircraft Mechanic Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$79,000
national median salary
$62,000 to $95,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $79,870 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (SOC 49-3011) across the United States, based on 138,090 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$48,780
25th percentile
$62,630
Median
$79,870
75th percentile
$99,130
90th percentile
$128,890
Workers surveyed
138,090
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$78,680
May 2025 release
$79,870
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (SOC 49-3011) rather than Aircraft Mechanicspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 49-3011Highest Paying
$110,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$83,000
Salt Lake City, UT
Lowest Paying
$60,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 49-3011. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Aircraft Mechanic salary in the United States at $79,000 in 2026, within a range of $62,000 to $95,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $110,000, while Salt Lake City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification is mandatory, and mechanics with Inspection Authorization (IA) earn 15 to 20% premiums.
Aircraft Mechanic salary by city.
Skills that increase Aircraft Mechanic pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Aircraft Mechanics based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $11,060 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$11,060 per year
≈ +$10,270 per year
≈ +$9,480 per year
≈ +$8,690 per year
≈ +$8,690 per year
≈ +$7,900 per year
≈ +$7,900 per year
≈ +$7,110 per year
What you should know.
FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification is mandatory, and mechanics with Inspection Authorization (IA) earn 15 to 20% premiums. Specialization in turbine engines, avionics, or composite structures commands the highest rates. Airlines pay more than general aviation, while defense contractors offer the best total compensation for security-cleared mechanics.
A&P school graduates start at $42,000 to $52,000, advancing to experienced mechanic at $54,000 to $75,000 in three to four years. Lead mechanics and inspectors earn $78,000 to $95,000, while directors of maintenance at regional airlines or MRO facilities reach $100,000 to $140,000.
Airlines provide flight benefits worth $5,000 to $15,000 annually in personal travel value. Shift differentials for evening and overnight maintenance add 10 to 15%, and overtime during heavy maintenance checks can boost annual pay by $8,000 to $18,000.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Aircraft Mechanics typically earn $71,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Aircraft Mechanic pay.
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