A&P Mechanic Salary Explained: Entry-Level vs. Experienced Pay

An Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate qualifies mechanics for roles with income ranges that vary by experience, employer, and location. 

Current salary data from Indeed and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a clear picture of how earnings change at each career stage.

What Do A&P Mechanics Make Per Year?

Aircraft mechanics in the United States earn an average base salary of $85,260 per year as of Mar. 9, 2026, according to Indeed’s national salary data. That figure sits within a range of $61,405 on the low end to $118,275 on the high end.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports a median annual wage of $78,680 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians as of May 2024. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,790, and the highest 10% earned more than $120,080.

Those two data points create a useful frame. Indeed’s figures reflect posted job salaries across all experience levels, while the BLS median captures the midpoint of actual wages. Together, they show a field where starting pay exceeds the national median wage for all occupations of $49,500, and top-end earnings exceed six figures.

Entry-Level Salary: Years Zero to Two

New A&P mechanics entering the workforce after completing training at an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school can expect to start in the lower portion of the national pay range. The BLS places the bottom 10th percentile of aircraft mechanic wages at $47,790 annually as of May 2024, a figure that generally aligns with entry-level positions. Indeed’s low-end salary estimate of $61,405 reflects an average across all experience levels, so first-year mechanics typically fall below that mark.

State-level data from Indeed shows variation in average annual pay across markets: Georgia averages $67,192 per year, while California averages $95,927 per year. These are averages across all experience levels, so entry-level pay in each state falls below these figures.

Is This a Livable Wage?

For a single adult, starting pay in the upper-$40,000s to low-$50,000s can cover rent, transportation and basic living expenses in most markets outside high-cost metro areas. That level of income is achievable after completing training, without a four-year degree.

The first two years involve steep learning as new hires often rotate through shifts, including nights and weekends. 

According to the BLS, aircraft mechanics may need to work in uncomfortable positions for long periods, and the work can be stressful due to strict safety standards and deadlines. These conditions are standard across the industry and part of what makes early-career experience valuable when negotiating pay later on.

Years Three to Five: Where Income Starts Climbing

After two to three years on the job, A&P mechanics have typically built enough documented experience to qualify for positions at larger employers, including regional airlines, major MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities and defense contractors. This is when growth becomes noticeable.

The BLS breaks down median wages by industry sector, and the differences are substantial. As of May 2024:

Moving from an entry-level role in the support activities sector to a mid-career position in air transportation or aerospace manufacturing may represent a jump of $15,000 to $28,000 in annual salary.

Indeed salary data for states with AIM campuses also reflects geographic variation at this stage:

These figures include mechanics at all experience levels; mid-career professionals may exceed them.

This period is also when many mechanics begin to specialize. Focusing on turbine engine work, composite repairs or avionics-related troubleshooting may associate with roles with higher pay bands. Income during this stage may expand budgeting flexibility, depending on location and employer

Six to 10+ Years: Experienced A&P Earnings

Mechanics with seven or more years of documented experience tend to occupy the upper end of the pay scale. The BLS places the top 10% of aircraft mechanics and service technicians above $120,080 annually as of May 2024, while Indeed’s national salary data shows the high end of the range reaching $118,275 per year.

These figures are most common among mechanics at major airlines and cargo operations. The BLS reports that:

• Air transportation employers pay a median of $95,320 for aircraft mechanics, meaning half of all mechanics in that sector earn above that amount. 
• Couriers and express delivery services, which include major cargo carriers, pay a median of $89,220.

At this experience level, mechanics often move into lead mechanic, inspector, or quality assurance roles. Under 14 CFR Part 65, the FAA offers an Inspection Authorization to A&P-certified mechanics who meet additional experience and qualification requirements. IA holders can approve aircraft for return to service after major repairs and annual inspections, a responsibility typically associated with higher pay.

Specialized paths can also contribute to higher income. Mechanics who develop familiarity with specific airframes, avionics systems or nondestructive testing may find additional opportunities.

The Overtime Effect: How Annual Earnings Can Grow Faster

Base salary tells only part of the compensation story. Aviation maintenance operates on continuous schedules, and airlines, cargo carriers, and MRO facilities frequently offer overtime. The BLS notes that most aircraft mechanics work full time, often on eight- or 10-hour shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, nonexempt employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, which could increase annual compensation. 

The tradeoff is straightforward; Overtime hours reduce personal time, and extended shift schedules can create fatigue. Mechanics who work heavy overtime for several years often use the additional income to pay down debt or build savings, then scale back to a standard schedule once their financial goals are met.

What Impacts Your Annual Salary the Most

Several factors determine where an A&P mechanic falls within the pay range, and the gaps between the lowest and highest earners. .

A&P Certification Status

The FAA requires that applicants for a mechanic certificate present either a graduation document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school or documentary evidence of at least 18 months of practical experience for a single rating, or 30 months for both airframe and powerplant ratings, as outlined in 14 CFR Part 65, Section 65.77. 

Holding both ratings allows mechanics to qualify for a broader range of employers and roles. The ATEC and Oliver Wyman 2024 Pipeline Report found that A&P school graduates who had not yet obtained their mechanic license earned approximately $44,000 per year, more than $21,700 less annually than their certificated peers.

Employer Type 

BLS wage data from May 2024 shows a $28,360 gap between the median salary in air transportation ($95,320) and the median in support activities for air transportation ($66,960). Major airlines and cargo carriers ctend to offer higher base pay compared to other sectors and benefits packages. Regional airlines, corporate flight departments and general aviation shops pay less on average but may offer schedule flexibility or specialization opportunities.

Geographic Location 

Location influences pay substantially. Among states with AIM campuses, Indeed salary data shows Nevada averaging $107,243 per year while Georgia averages $66,875 per year. Cost of living, proximity to major aviation hubs and local demand all affect these numbers.

Union Contracts

Many A&P mechanics at major airlines work under collective bargaining agreements that set structured pay scales, annual raises and overtime rates. Union contracts at carriers like Delta, United and American have been revised upward in recent years, reflecting the industry’s ongoing need for certified mechanics.

Additional Certifications or Specializations

An IA rating, avionics specialization or nondestructive testing certification may be associated with higher wages beyond the base A&P license.

Is the Pay Growth Worth It?

Pay progression in this field is tied to skill, not seniority alone. A mechanic who earns additional certifications, logs time on complex aircraft, and builds a documented work history may earn more than a mechanic at the same experience level who does not. The difference between the lowest-paying and highest-paying sectors is nearly $30,000 in median annual salary.

But, the tradeoffs are real: shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is standard across the industry. Physical demands are constant. Hangars can be hot in summer and cold in winter, and the work requires extended periods of standing, crouching and lifting. 

These conditions do not change with experience, though lead and inspection roles may reduce some of the physical strain.

Start With the Right Training

The BLS median of $78,680 for aircraft mechanics sits well above the national median for all occupations, and the salary data across sectors and states shows a range that widens with experience, certification, and employer type. Where a mechanic ends up within that range depends on the decisions made at each career stage.

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance offers FAA-certificated training programs at 15 campuses across 13 states. Contact us today to connect with an admissions team member or explore program options at a campus near you.