Aircraft mechanic (A&P)
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft.
What the job is
- The work
- Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft.
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- How people get in
- Most aircraft mechanics attend an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school (18 to 24 months) and then pass the FAA's written, oral and practical tests for the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. Others document 18 months (one rating) or 30 months (both) of supervised experience, civilian or military.
- Good fit for
- Careful, mechanical people who like engines, precise work and aviation safety.
- Career cluster
- Supply Chain & Transportation
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaState guide
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaState guide
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkState guide
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaState guide
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025.
- Median pay
- $80,180 a year ($38.55 an hour)
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 159,800
- Typical entry
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +6%, which BLS calls "faster than average"
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +9,400 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
Tools overview
BLS does not publish what a starter tool set costs. Ask the school or apprenticeship sponsor which tools you must buy before you enrol.
- Mechanics adjust aircraft parts to exact specifications, often using precision tools, for example to tighten wheel bolts to a specified tension.
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes, step by step, the national certifications and the state licensing rules are on one page.
Aircraft mechanic: FAA Part 147 school or 18–30 months of experience, then the A&P tests
See the roadmap
Route 1: FAA-certificated school (Part 147) → A&P tests · Route 2: On-the-job experience (civilian or military) → A&P tests · Route 3: Registered Apprenticeship
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All trades