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Compare trade training routes
Compare trade-school and apprenticeship routes. Check each program’s training length, pay, tuition, fees, and local licensing requirements.
Repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. Diagnose faults in aircraft engines and assemblies such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems, then adjust, repair, or overhaul them.
$48,780
Lower reported wage
$79,870
Median
$128,890
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →FAA mechanic certification is the common independent-practice route; program completion alone is not the certificate. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
About license data coverageU.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3011): BLS OEWS May 2025 annual United States median (50th percentile) $79,870. The lower and upper figures are the published 10th and 90th percentiles. They describe the wage distribution, not starting or senior pay. These figures are for aircraft mechanics, not avionics technicians. Wage figures reviewed October 27, 2026. Source: https://data.bls.gov/oesprofile/?areas=INDUSTRY,STATE,MSA&major_group=490000&measure=01&occupation=493011 . Employment and growth retain their existing source periods and were not refreshed in this wage review.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
Inspect, diagnose, and repair aircraft structures and mechanical or electrical systems. [1]
Mechanics work in hangars, repair stations, airports, and aircraft manufacturing. [1]
Aircraft operations may require shifts, nights, weekends, or overtime. [1]
Strict safety rules, detailed records, heights, noise, and physical access to aircraft require focus. [1]
Certification and experience may lead to inspection authorization, specialty, or supervisory roles. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.