Keeping aircraft in good working condition is vital to safe and efficient air travel. Airplane pilots, crew and passengers put their lives in the hands of the aircraft that they fly and it is up to airplane mechanics to make sure that planes are flight-ready. Becoming an aircraft mechanic usually requires completion of an 18- to 24-month technical program at a facility approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Average Wage
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the average wage of aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $26.20 an hour in May 2011. Assuming 2,080 hours of work per year, mechanics earned $54,500 a year on average. The top 10 percent of mechanics earned more than $35.68 an hour, while the bottom 10 percent made less than $16.65. Fifty percent of workers in the occupation had wages between $21.63 and $30.79 an hour.
Top States
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Tennessee was the highest-paying state for aircraft mechanics in May 2011 and that workers in the state earned $31.96 an hour on average. Mechanics in Connecticut, Alaska, Kentucky, and Hawaii earned $29.30 an hour or more on average. Texas employed the most aircraft mechanics of any state and those workers made $25.20 an hour on average.
Avionics Technicians
Avionics technicians are specialized aircraft maintenance workers who diagnose and repair problems with electronic equipment on airplanes like radios, radar and navigation systems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that avionics technicians earned an average wage of $26.15 in May 2011. The top 10 percent of workers made over $34.70 an hour and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $18.13. Half of workers in the field had wages between $22.30 and $30.61 an hour.
Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that total jobs for airplane mechanics will grow by 6 percent from 2010 to 2020. Competition for new jobs in the field is likely to be strong since airlines are increasingly outsourcing maintenance work to mechanics in other countries to limit costs. Attaining a bachelor's degree in aircraft maintenance, obtaining professional certification and keeping on top of the latest advances in aircraft design can improve the chances of employment.
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