Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians

Summary

What Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians Do About this section

Aircraft mechanics diagnose mechanical or electrical problems.

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft.

Duties

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians typically do the following:

• Diagnose mechanical or electrical problems
• Repair wings, brakes, electrical systems, and other aircraft components
• Examine replacement aircraft parts for defects
• Replace defective parts, using handtools or power tools
• Read and interpret manufacturers’ instructions to identify repair specifications
• Test aircraft parts with gauges and other instruments
• Inspect completed work to ensure that it meets performance standards
• Keep records of maintenance and repair work

Avionics technicians typically do the following:

• Test electronic equipment using circuit testers, voltmeters, and other instruments
• Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and performance problems
• Repair or replace malfunctioning components
• Assemble components, such as electrical controls and junction boxes, and install software
• Install instrument panels, using handtools, power tools, and soldering irons
• Keep records of maintenance and repair work

To keep aircraft operating safely and reliably, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections. They follow detailed regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that dictate maintenance schedules for different operations.

Some mechanics and technicians are generalists and work on many different types of aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, and space vehicles. Others specialize in one section, such as the engine or hydraulic system, of a particular type of aircraft. In independent repair shops, mechanics usually inspect and repair many types of aircraft.

The following are examples of types of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians:

Airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics are certified generalist mechanics who repair and maintain most parts of an aircraft, including the engines, landing gear, and brakes. Some specialized activities require additional experience and certification.

Avionics technicians are specialists who repair and maintain a plane’s electronic systems, including radio communications equipment and radar. Technicians who have an airframe rating may repair and maintain many avionics and flight instrument systems, but they also may need other licenses or certifications.

Designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) examine, inspect, and test aircraft in order to issue airworthiness certificates, which aircraft must have to fly. There are two types of DARs: manufacturing DARs and maintenance DARs.

Inspection authorized (IA) mechanics are A&P-certified mechanics who may inspect aircraft and return them to service. IA mechanics have the widest variety of maintenance and alteration capabilities, such as performing comprehensive annual inspections, of any maintenance personnel.

Repairmen have certificates that allow them to do specific duties. Repairman certificates are issued by the employing repair station and are not transferable to other employers.

Work Environment About this section

Aircraft mechanics climb, reach, and balance on a plane’s exterior.

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians held about 141,400 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of aircraft mechanics and service technicians were as follows:

Avionics technicians held about 21,900 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of avionics technicians were as follows:

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields. Most of these worksites are located near major airports. Civilian aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians employed by the U.S. Armed Forces work on military installations.

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians may work outside on the airfield or in climate-controlled shops and hangars. They may need to work in uncomfortable positions, such as crouching or lying on the ground and reaching overhead, for long periods.

The work may be stressful at times because these mechanics and technicians must follow strict safety standards while meeting deadlines.

Injuries and Illnesses

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians may work on scaffolds or ladders. Noise and vibrations are also common, especially when engines are being tested. Workers must take care to avoid falls and should wear safety gear, such as ear protection to reduce the risk of hearing loss.

Work Schedules

Most aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work full time. They may work 8- or 10-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

How to Become an Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanic or Technician About this section

Some aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians learn their trade on the job.

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved program. Some enter the occupation with an associate’s degree; others have a high school diploma and train on the job or in the military. These workers typically are certified by the FAA.

Education and Training

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians typically enter the occupation after attending an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program. These programs award a certificate of completion that the FAA recognizes as an alternative to the experience requirements stated in regulations. The programs also grant certificate holders the right to take the relevant FAA exams. Programs that are affiliated with community colleges offer students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree.

Some aircraft mechanics and service technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or the equivalent. They train on the job or in the military 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 of a certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic until they have enough experience to sit for the FAA exams.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The FAA requires aircraft maintenance to be done either by a certified mechanic with the appropriate ratings or authorizations or by someone working under the supervision of such a mechanic.

The FAA offers separate certificates for bodywork (airframe mechanics) and engine work (powerplant mechanics), but employers may prefer to hire mechanics who have both ratings (A&P). The A&P ratings generally certify that aviation mechanics meet basic knowledge and ability standards.

Mechanics must meet minimum requirements, including for age and experience, to qualify for either the A rating, the P rating, or the A&P rating. Completion of a program at an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school can substitute for the experience requirement and expedite the time for becoming eligible to take the FAA exams.

The Inspection Authorization (IA) is available to A&P-certified mechanics who meet experience and other requirements. These mechanics are able to review and approve many major repairs and alterations.

Avionics technicians may be certified by their employer for the specific aircraft work they perform. Technicians may get optional Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification through the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to substitute for some experience. They also may hold the airframe rating to work on an aircraft’s electronic and flight instrument systems. Avionics technicians who work on communications equipment may need a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Advancement

As aircraft mechanics and service technicians gain experience, they might advance to become lead mechanics, lead inspectors, or shop supervisors. 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.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Mechanics and technicians must adjust aircraft parts to exact specifications. For example, they often use precision tools to tighten wheel bolts to a specified tension.

Dexterity. Mechanics and technicians need to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts.

Mechanical skills. Mechanics and technicians must be able to understand and interpret manufacturer instructions to repair, replace, and assemble aircraft components.

Observational skills. Mechanics and technicians must recognize engine noises, read gauges, and collect other information to determine whether an aircraft’s systems are working properly.

Physical strength. Mechanics and technicians may carry or move heavy equipment or aircraft parts, climb on airplanes, balance, and reach without falling.

Problem-solving skills. Mechanics and technicians must be able to diagnose problems with aircraft equipment and systems to determine the best way to repair them.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $75,020 in May 2023. 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 $45,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $114,750.

The median annual wage for avionics technicians was $77,420 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,370.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for avionics technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work full time. They may work 8- or 10-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 13,400 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Growing demand for passenger travel and goods transportation will increase air traffic over the coming years. As the use and number of aircraft increase, and as aircraft systems become more complex, more technicians will be needed to provide maintenance and repair services. The growing space industry also may add to this need.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
• Avionics technicians

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, visit

Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Communications Commission

National Business Aviation Association

American Society for Testing and Materials

Professional Aviation Maintenance Association

Occupational Requirements Survey

For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians (PDF)

CareerOneStop

For career videos on aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, visit

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Avionics Technicians

O*NET

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Avionics Technicians