Explore the rewarding career of aviation maintenance technicians with insights on education, training, and certification paths for aspiring technicians.
A ComAv mechanic works on a Boeing 777 in the hangar (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians play a critical role in maintaining airplanes safety on a daily basis. Mechanics work tirelessly to make sure that discrepancies are resolved in an efficient and timely manner. They interact closely with flight crews, dispatchers, and ground handlers to ensure the best possible result for each flight.
Mechanics can take on a number of jobs in aviation. Some maintain aircraft at flight schools or travel with corporate flight departments to be accessible for repairs on the road. Just like pilots and cabin crews, many aspire to work for airlines, working on the biggest jets and most powerful engines. Airlines tend to pay their mechanics notably well in order to attract top talent.
The country’s biggest airlines are constantly hiring mechanics as they grow their fleets and expand operations. In fact, only a fraction of an airline’s aircraft are in the air at a time, as some aircraft must be on the ground for routine inspections or major repairs.
Delta is one such airline hiring across the country. Positions are open in multiple bases both for mainline Delta and regional partners such as Endeavor Air. American Airlines is also hiring maintenance technicians, and United Airlines is even hiring maintenance supervisors in several locations both in the U.S. and abroad.
Some foreign airlines also hire American mechanics at outstations across the U.S. This makes repairs and maintenance easier and cheaper than flying mechanics out or working with contractors. This is especially true in cities where these foreign airlines have significant operations, like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Dallas.
There is a wide range of salaries for A&P mechanics, but the median annual salary is $75,000. While the lowest starting salaries for mechanics in the U.S. are between $40,000 and $45,000, bigger airlines provide higher starting salaries; American Airlines, for example, starts at $67,000 for new mechanics. United pays mechanics upwards of $80,000 per year. The highest-paid mechanics can earn well over $110,000.
Many airlines also provide handsome signing bonuses worth at least $10,000 with extra for those with previous experience. Military experience can also be a plus, with some carriers giving preference to especially-experienced veterans.
Prospective mechanics have two options to gain the certifications they need to join an airline. Many choose to go to a dedicated school, which can take between 24 and 30 months depending on the desired level of certification. Mechanics can also spend time working in an actual repair environment under the watchful eye of a certified mechanic before going in for exams.
Airlines tend to require certification to work on both Airframes and Powerplants. Mechanics certified for both are called A&P mechanics. There is additional training required to work on avionics. Eventually, mechanics can pursue their Inspector Authorization, which allows them to sign off on a wider range of inspections to release aircraft to service.
Delta is using drones for aircraft maintenance inspections. (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
In many cases, airlines have their mechanics specialize in a certain component to ensure expertise in that subject matter. Mechanics might, for example, work predominantly on engines, landing gear, or anti-ice systems so they can be intimately familiar with those topics. Some mechanics, however, do work the line doing routine inspections for aircraft waiting on flights later on.
Being a mechanic is a rewarding career. Maintenance technicians play a critical role in keeping aircraft flying safely and on time. From routine checks to line maintenance, mechanics are critical to smooth operations across the country.
Receive a daily dose of the airline industry's top stories along with market insights right in your inbox.
With the Alaska Airlines merger now complete, Hawaiian Airlines plans to trim its workforce. According to the Anchorage Daily News,…
The airline industry has notoriously thin margins, and airlines are constantly striving to maximize their revenue. Airlines use large quantities…
Airports are exceptionally complex pieces of infrastructure. Countless components need to function properly and efficiently in an environment where safety…
