Aircraft Mechanic: career path and pay in the US
Where a Aircraft Mechanic goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Aircraft Mechanic / Aviation Maintenance Technician to Aircraft Maintenance Manager / Director of Maintenance.
Also for the United Kingdom: Aircraft Mechanic in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 3 years
Aircraft Mechanic / Aviation Maintenance Technician
$60K to $90K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate (required) - US, EASA Part 66 License (required) - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 3 to 8 years
Senior Aircraft Mechanic / Lead Technician
$65K to $100K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: FAA A&P Certificate - US, EASA Part 66 License - UK/EU, Type Ratings (optional) - Global, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 8 to 15 years
Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor / Inspector
$70K to $110K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: FAA A&P Certificate - US, EASA Part 66 License - UK/EU, Type Ratings - Global, Inspection Authorization (IA) (optional) - US.
Step 4 · 15+ years
Aircraft Maintenance Manager / Director of Maintenance
$80K to $120K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: FAA A&P Certificate - US, EASA Part 66 License - UK/EU, Type Ratings - Global, Inspection Authorization (IA) - US.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$60K to $90K → $80K to $120K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Aircraft Mechanic ($36.05); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. The published figure for Senior Aircraft Mechanic sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Transportation
- Education and Training
Education people bring
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 66%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree: 15%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 10%
Job Zone 3, job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Other paths from here
- Aviation Manager
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Safety Manager
- Aircraft Inspector
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Avionics Technicians, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, Aircraft Service Attendants, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians, Engine and Other Machine Assemblers.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.