Aircraft Technician Jobs | Aviation Maintenance & A&P Mechanic Careers

Aircraft Technician Jobs: Airframe, Powerplant & Avionics Careers

An Aircraft Technician is a safety-critical aviation professional who inspects, troubleshoots, repairs, services, and documents work performed on aircraft and their systems. The title can include aircraft maintenance technician (AMT), aircraft mechanic, A&P mechanic, avionics technician, structures technician, or maintenance engineer depending on the employer and country.

To begin your career, first decide whether you want to focus on mechanical maintenance, avionics, structures, helicopters, engines, or manufacturing. In the United States, many hands-on maintenance roles prefer or require FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification. Candidates can typically qualify through an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school or through documented practical experience, followed by required knowledge, oral, and practical exams.[bls]

Build a strong application by highlighting:

• FAA A&P certificate, Inspection Authorization (IA), FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, or manufacturer training, where applicable
• Aircraft platforms and systems you have worked on, such as Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, Embraer, helicopters, turbine engines, hydraulics, and avionics
• Maintenance documentation experience, including logbooks, task cards, manuals, work orders, service bulletins, and airworthiness directives
• Experience in Part 91, Part 121, Part 135, Part 145, military, MRO, FBO, or OEM environments
• Safety, quality-control, tooling, troubleshooting, and shift-work experience

Start by browsing the latest Aircraft Technician jobs, then expand your search to A&P Mechanic jobs, Avionics Technician jobs, and Aircraft Maintenance Technician jobs.

What Does an Aircraft Technician Do?

Aircraft Technicians keep aircraft airworthy by performing scheduled maintenance, diagnosing defects, repairing or replacing components, testing systems, and completing required maintenance records. Their work directly supports safe flight operations for airlines, business aviation operators, charter companies, maintenance repair organizations (MROs), manufacturers, flight schools, military units, and helicopter operators.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Inspect aircraft structures, engines, landing gear, flight controls, interiors, and systems
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, and avionics faults
• Remove, repair, overhaul, install, and test aircraft components
• Follow aircraft maintenance manuals, engineering instructions, service bulletins, and regulatory requirements
• Use calibrated tools, test equipment, borescopes, multimeters, torque tools, and diagnostic software
• Complete work orders, logbook entries, inspection records, and maintenance release documentation
• Coordinate with inspectors, engineers, parts teams, flight crews, and quality assurance personnel
• Follow strict safety, FOD-prevention, hazardous-material, and human-factors procedures

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians commonly need postsecondary training, such as a certificate from an FAA-approved program, and the U.S. median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $78,680 in May 2024.[bls]

What the Aircraft Technician Job Looks Like

Aircraft Technician jobs are practical, detail-driven, and often performed in hangars, line-maintenance ramps, workshops, component shops, or manufacturing facilities. Work may involve standing for long periods, lifting equipment, climbing ladders or stands, working in confined spaces, and responding to time-sensitive maintenance needs.

Many positions operate on first, second, or third shifts, with weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call coverage common in airline and charter operations. Line technicians may work outdoors near active aircraft, while base-maintenance technicians may complete longer inspections, modifications, heavy checks, and major repairs in a hangar environment.

A typical day may involve reviewing task cards, inspecting an aircraft discrepancy, troubleshooting the affected system, ordering or locating parts, completing the repair, conducting an operational check, and documenting the work for inspection and return to service.

Aircraft Technician Job Examples

• A&P Mechanic: Performs maintenance and repairs on aircraft airframes, engines, and related systems under FAA Airframe and Powerplant privileges.
• Aircraft Maintenance Technician: Conducts routine inspections, servicing, defect correction, and documentation to keep aircraft available for flight operations.
• Avionics Technician: Troubleshoots, installs, tests, and repairs aircraft electrical, navigation, communication, flight-control, and entertainment systems.
• Aircraft Structures Technician: Repairs and fabricates aircraft structural components, including sheet metal, composites, fuselage sections, control surfaces, and interior structures.
• Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician: Diagnoses and repairs wiring, generators, batteries, lighting, power distribution, and electrical control systems.
• Hydraulics Technician: Maintains landing gear, flight-control actuation, braking, steering, and other aircraft hydraulic systems.
• Helicopter Technician: Performs specialized maintenance on rotary-wing aircraft, including rotor systems, transmissions, turbine engines, and helicopter airframes.
• Powerplant Technician: Services, troubleshoots, and repairs piston and turbine engines, accessories, fuel systems, and propulsion components.
• Component Shop Technician: Repairs and overhauls aircraft components such as wheels and brakes, starters, actuators, pumps, and avionics units.
• Aircraft Maintenance Inspector: Verifies that maintenance work, inspections, and documentation meet company, manufacturer, and regulatory standards.
• Aircraft Manufacturing Technician: Assembles, installs, tests, and validates aircraft structures and systems in an OEM or aerospace production environment.
• Military Aircraft Mechanic: Maintains mission-capable military aircraft and may specialize in systems such as hydraulics, avionics, engines, or airframes.

Browse Aircraft Technician Jobs by City and State

• Aircraft Technician jobs in Burbank, California: Burbank offers access to business aviation, media-related aviation operations, MRO work, and the wider Southern California aerospace market.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Palm Beach, Florida: Palm Beach is a strong market for business aviation maintenance, particularly for high-utilization corporate aircraft and charter fleets.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Wichita, Kansas: Wichita is known as a major general aviation and aircraft-manufacturing hub, creating demand across OEM, MRO, modification, and flight-test work.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Gainesville, Florida: Gainesville can offer opportunities with general aviation operators, maintenance facilities, flight schools, and regional aviation employers.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana: Indianapolis supports technician jobs tied to cargo, airline, business aviation, component maintenance, and regional airport operations.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Seattle, Washington: The Seattle region offers major opportunities in aerospace manufacturing, commercial aviation, supplier networks, and maintenance operations.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Dallas, Texas: Dallas–Fort Worth is a large aviation market with airline, corporate, charter, MRO, and private-jet maintenance employers.
• Aircraft Technician jobs in Miami, Florida: Miami is an international aviation gateway with significant cargo, airline, business aviation, repair, and Latin America-focused maintenance activity.

Browse Aircraft Technician Jobs by Job Type

• Full-time Aircraft Technician jobs: Full-time roles commonly provide steady schedules, benefits, training pathways, and long-term advancement with an airline, MRO, OEM, or operator.
• Contract Aircraft Technician jobs: Contract positions can offer competitive hourly rates, project variety, travel opportunities, and access to major maintenance events or modification programs.
• Part-time Aircraft Technician jobs: Part-time work may suit technicians seeking schedule flexibility, supplemental income, or a transition into aviation maintenance.
• Temporary Aircraft Technician jobs: Temporary maintenance assignments help employers manage seasonal workload, heavy checks, aircraft delivery programs, and staffing gaps.
• Entry-level Aircraft Technician jobs: Entry-level roles support new graduates and junior technicians as they gain aircraft experience, log maintenance tasks, and develop specializations.
• Remote aviation jobs: While hands-on aircraft maintenance is primarily on-site, remote aviation roles may include maintenance planning, technical records, reliability analysis, quality systems, and technical support.

Browse Aircraft Technician Jobs by Aircraft Manufacturer

• Boeing Aircraft Technician jobs: Boeing-focused jobs can involve commercial, cargo, defense, or business-jet aircraft maintenance, modifications, production, and component work.
• Airbus Aircraft Technician jobs: Airbus opportunities may involve line maintenance, base checks, structures, avionics, cabin upgrades, and troubleshooting on global airline fleets.
• Gulfstream Aircraft Technician jobs: Gulfstream technicians support high-performance business jets and may work in factory service centers, corporate flight departments, or specialized MROs.
• Bombardier Aircraft Technician jobs: Bombardier maintenance roles often focus on Challenger, Global, Learjet, and regional aircraft platforms.
• Cessna Aircraft Technician jobs: Cessna-focused work includes piston aircraft, turboprops, Citations, flight-school fleets, and general aviation maintenance.
• Embraer Aircraft Technician jobs: Embraer roles can include regional airline, executive jet, defense, and fleet-support maintenance work.
• Dassault Aircraft Technician jobs: Dassault Falcon jobs emphasize business-jet troubleshooting, inspections, modifications, and premium customer-service standards.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Technician jobs: Sikorsky positions support helicopter maintenance in corporate, utility, emergency medical, offshore, government, and defense environments.

Browse Aircraft Technician Jobs by Aircraft Name

• Boeing 737 Technician jobs: Boeing 737 technicians work on one of the world’s most widely operated narrow-body aircraft families in airline and cargo environments.
• Airbus A320 Technician jobs: Airbus A320-family maintenance roles include line checks, component changes, avionics troubleshooting, and scheduled heavy maintenance.
• Gulfstream G650 Technician jobs: G650 jobs support long-range business jets with advanced avionics, cabin systems, and high-end corporate aviation service expectations.
• Bombardier Global Technician jobs: Global-series technicians maintain ultra-long-range business jets used by corporate, charter, and private operators.
• Cessna Citation Technician jobs: Citation maintenance roles support popular light- and midsize-business jets across charter, corporate, and owner-operated fleets.
• Embraer Phenom Technician jobs: Phenom technicians support light business jets, including scheduled maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting, and avionics work.
• Bell Helicopter Technician jobs: Bell helicopter roles focus on rotary-wing maintenance for emergency medical, law-enforcement, utility, tourism, and private operations.
• Sikorsky S-76 Technician jobs: S-76 maintenance work frequently supports offshore transport, executive travel, emergency medical services, and utility helicopter operations.

Browse by Certification

• A&P Aircraft Technician jobs: A&P roles seek technicians authorized to perform maintenance on both airframes and powerplants under FAA rules.
• IA Aircraft Technician jobs: Inspection Authorization roles are suited to experienced A&P mechanics qualified to perform annual inspections and approve certain major repairs or alterations.
• Avionics Technician jobs: Avionics positions focus on aircraft electronics, electrical systems, navigation, communications, flight instruments, and automated flight systems.
• Aircraft Structures Technician jobs: Structures roles require skills in sheet metal, composites, corrosion control, structural repair, and technical drawing interpretation.
• Helicopter Technician jobs: Helicopter maintenance jobs favor technicians with rotary-wing experience and knowledge of transmissions, rotor systems, and turbine powerplants.
• Engine Technician jobs: Engine-focused jobs involve turbine or piston engine inspection, repair, overhaul, test-cell work, and component troubleshooting.
• FAA-certified Aircraft Technician jobs: FAA-certified roles prioritize candidates who already meet regulatory qualification requirements for maintenance work and return-to-service responsibilities.

Internationally, licensing terminology differs. EASA Part-66 uses categories such as A, B1, B2, B3, and C; B1 emphasizes mechanical systems while B2 focuses on avionics and electrical systems. In Canada, Transport Canada AME ratings include M1, M2, E, and S, covering mechanical, electronic, and structures specialties. Brazil’s ANAC recognizes GMP (powerplant), CEL (airframe), and AVI (avionics) aircraft-mechanic specializations.[easa.europa][tc.canada][gov]

Aircraft Technician Influencers to Follow

• FAA Aviation Maintenance: Follow FAA maintenance guidance for regulatory updates, technician resources, safety information, and certification requirements.
• Aviation Week: A valuable source for MRO trends, airline maintenance developments, OEM news, and aviation workforce coverage.
• Aviation Maintenance Magazine: Offers maintenance career information, technical perspectives, and training-related content for aspiring technicians.
• Aviation Maintenance Association: A professional network focused on supporting maintenance professionals through advocacy, education, and industry engagement.
• Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association: Relevant for technicians who want to follow labor, career, and workforce issues in airline maintenance.
• EAA: A strong learning community for practical aircraft maintenance knowledge, restoration, homebuilding, and general aviation involvement.
• Women in Aviation International: Provides networking, scholarship, education, and career-development opportunities across aviation, including maintenance.
• EASA: Essential for technicians pursuing or researching European maintenance licensing, safety standards, and Part-66 requirements.

Aircraft Technician Courses and Certifications

Core U.S. Qualifications

• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate: The primary U.S. credential for technicians who maintain and approve work on airframes, engines, and associated aircraft systems.
• FAA Inspection Authorization (IA): An advanced credential for eligible A&P mechanics who perform annual inspections and approve certain major repairs and alterations.
• FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School: A structured education route that prepares students for A&P certification exams and entry-level maintenance careers.
• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License: Helpful for avionics and radio-related work, particularly where employers value documented knowledge of communications systems.
• NDT Certifications: Non-destructive testing qualifications can support careers in structures, composites, manufacturing, inspection, and damage assessment.
• Human Factors and Safety Management Training: Builds awareness of fatigue, communication, error prevention, shift handovers, and risk management in maintenance environments.
• Aircraft-Specific Type Training: Manufacturer or employer training on platforms such as Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Cessna, or helicopter models can materially improve job prospects.

International Development Paths

• EASA Part-66 License: Appropriate for maintenance careers in Europe and many international aviation markets; categories include mechanical and avionics pathways.[easa.europa]
• Transport Canada AME License: Relevant for Canadian roles, with M1/M2 mechanical, E avionics, and S structures ratings.[tc.canada]
• ANAC Brazil Aircraft Mechanic Qualification: Brazil offers GMP, CEL, and AVI specialization paths for powerplant, airframe, and avionics work.[gov]

Before enrolling in a course, verify its regulator approval, employer recognition, practical-training opportunities, exam preparation, and aircraft type exposure.

Aircraft Technician Salary Expectations in the United States

Aircraft Technician pay varies by certification, experience, shift, location, aircraft type, employer, overtime availability, union coverage, and whether the role is airline, business aviation, defense, MRO, or manufacturing based.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $78,680 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in May 2024. This is a national midpoint, not an entry-level guarantee, and it does not fully reflect overtime, shift premiums, per diem, travel pay, bonus structures, or specialized type-rating premiums.[bls]

Experience levelTypical U.S. pay expectationCommon profileEntry-level technician$45,000–$62,000 per yearNew A&P graduate, apprentice, junior mechanic, or technician building hands-on experienceMid-career A&P technician$62,000–$88,000 per yearLicensed technician with independent troubleshooting and inspection capabilitySenior technician$85,000–$120,000+ per yearAdvanced experience, type training, lead responsibilities, specialized systems, or high-demand locationAvionics specialist$70,000–$115,000+ per yearAdvanced electrical, navigation, communications, autopilot, and troubleshooting expertiseIA-qualified mechanicOften 10–20% above base payExperienced A&P mechanic with added inspection responsibilities

Salary estimates above are directional market ranges; actual compensation differs materially by employer and region. The current Aircraft Technician job page includes posted examples ranging from $25 per hour for a technician role to $56,000–$111,000 per year for a deployable avionics technician, with other listed A&P and technician roles showing approximately $29–$51 per hour.[allaviationjob]

Aircraft Technician Salary Expectations Worldwide

International compensation should be assessed in local currency, purchasing power, taxation, benefits, housing, rotation schedules, overtime, and licensing eligibility—not by direct conversion alone. Pay is generally higher where technicians hold recognized licenses, aircraft type ratings, strong English technical communication skills, and experience on turbine, commercial, or business-jet fleets.

RegionTypical salary expectationMarket contextBrazilR$45,000–R$120,000+ per yearEntry and general aviation maintenance roles often pay less than U.S. equivalents, while experienced ANAC-qualified technicians in airline, executive aviation, or international operations can earn more.CanadaCAD $55,000–$105,000+ per yearLicensed AMEs, especially M2, E, and specialized rotary-wing or northern operations technicians, can command higher compensation.Europe€35,000–€85,000+ per yearEASA Part-66 B1/B2 holders, aircraft type ratings, and shift work with airlines or large MROs can increase earnings significantly.AsiaVaries widely; often USD-equivalent $20,000–$80,000+ per yearMajor hubs and international airlines may pay premiums for licensed expatriate technicians, widebody experience, and type ratings.Central AmericaOften USD-equivalent $12,000–$45,000+ per yearPay varies by country, aviation infrastructure, tourism/charter activity, airline presence, and whether work supports international operators.

For international roles, confirm local licensing recognition before applying. ICAO recognizes aircraft maintenance licensing as a regulated personnel category, but each national authority sets its own requirements and privileges.[icao]

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