Occupations/49-3011.00
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
34%
More resilient
Human characteristics
68%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
69%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Mostly routine
Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Mostly routine
Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- 02Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- 03Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- 04Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- 05Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- 06Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.71
- Degree of automation1.27
- Time sitting2.50
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations2.98
- Hands-on objects/tools4.59
- Outdoors / weather4.02
- Disease exposure1.39
- Decision freedom3.97
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity4.50
- Written Comprehension4.12
- Near Vision4.12
- Manual Dexterity4.00
- Information Ordering4.00
- Finger Dexterity4.00
- Control Precision4.00
- Multilimb Coordination3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening3.50
- Writing3.00
- Speaking3.25
- Mathematics2.88
- Science2.38
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.12
- Learning Strategies2.75
- Monitoring3.62
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 26 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr $106,421 2 yr — Associate · CIP 47.06 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $63,005 2 yr $61,516 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $10,700 | 86% | 79% | 1 yr $55,286 2 yr $55,693 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $52,107 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $10,000 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $51,794 2 yr $48,041 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $9,600 | 99% | 66% | 1 yr $50,231 2 yr $47,520 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $10,800 | 83% | 66% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr $52,107 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public | Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician 01.0205 | $9,200 | 47% | 84% | 1 yr $42,309 2 yr $41,007 Bachelor's · CIP 01.02 |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public | Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607 | $5,700 | 100% | 35% | 1 yr $38,289 2 yr $33,993 Associate · CIP 47.06 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr $35,060 2 yr $30,409 Certificate · CIP 47.06 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr $30,520 Associate · CIP 47.06 |
Saint Paul College St. Paul, MN · Public | Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607 | $6,100 | 100% | 29% | 1 yr $29,685 2 yr $36,560 Certificate · CIP 47.06 |