# Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

> Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-mechanics-and-service-technicians
- SOC code: 49-3011.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $79,870 (10th percentile $48,780, 90th percentile $128,890)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.4%
- Openings a year: 11,400
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 95 |
| Investigative (I) | 47 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 62 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 91/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 90/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 90/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 89/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 86/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 83/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 81/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 81/100)

## Skills

Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Transportation, Education and Training, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Physics, Design

## Also called

Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mechanic, Aircraft AC Mechanic (Aircraft Air Conditioning Mechanic), Aircraft Accessories Mechanic, Aircraft Avionics Technician (Aircraft Avionics Tech), Aircraft Body and Bonded Structure Repairer, Aircraft Cylinder Mechanic, Aircraft Electrician, Aircraft Engine Mechanic, Aircraft Engine Specialist, Aircraft Engine Technician (Aircraft Engine Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4706) (CIP 4706, 713 colleges)
- [Agricultural Mechanization](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0102) (CIP 0102, 90 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide-910) | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $77,491 | $87,797 | $21,986 |
| [Iowa State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/iowa-state-university-1305) | Agricultural Mechanization | $69,450 | $78,890 | $15,777 |
| [Kansas State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/kansas-state-university-1364) | Agricultural Mechanization | not reported | $78,537 | not reported |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | Agricultural Mechanization | $68,847 | $78,080 | not reported |
| [University of Nebraska-Lincoln Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-nebraska-lincoln-main-campus-2975) | Agricultural Mechanization | $61,751 | $74,003 | not reported |
| [Purdue University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/purdue-university-main-campus-2163) | Agricultural Mechanization | $63,519 | $73,393 | not reported |
| [South Dakota State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/south-dakota-state-university-2445) | Agricultural Mechanization | $64,756 | $67,746 | $19,569 |
| [Sam Houston State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/sam-houston-state-university-2333) | Agricultural Mechanization | $59,342 | $67,729 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Avionics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/avionics-technicians): $82,280 median pay
- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay
- [Aircraft Service Attendants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-service-attendants): $40,450 median pay
- [Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians): $82,890 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay
- [Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electro-mechanical-and-mechatronics-technologists-and-technicians): $73,900 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.