How to Become a Aircraft Mechanic — Salary, Training & Licensing
Every time a plane takes off safely, an aircraft mechanic made it happen. This is a career where precision, expertise, and accountability converge — with FAA certification, strong pay ($55K–110K+), and a massive wave of retirements creating opportunity.
93% High Demand
$55K–$110K+
Salary Range
Very High
Demand
+6%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey
Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon
Licensing & Requirements
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate required (federal, not state). Must graduate from FAA Part 147 school or have 30 months of practical experience. Pass General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams (written + oral + practical).
Training Programs
Lane CC (aviation maintenance — FAA Part 147), Portland CC (aviation maintenance technology), Hillsboro Aero Academy. Oregon has strong general aviation and helicopter maintenance presence.
Average Salary
$55K–$85K
Top Employers
Hillsboro Aviation, Precision Castparts (Berkshire Hathaway — aircraft parts), Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines (maintenance base Portland), Columbia Helicopters, Erickson Air-Crane, general aviation FBOs.
Career Overview
Is this career right for you?
✓You're fascinated by aircraft, engines, and how complex machines work
✓You're detail-oriented to the extreme — in this job, a missed bolt can be catastrophic
✓You're good with your hands and comfortable using precision tools and instruments
✓You can handle the responsibility of signing off that an aircraft is safe to fly
✓You want a career with federal certification that's recognized worldwide
✓You like troubleshooting — diagnosing complex mechanical, electrical, and avionics problems
Your Roadmap
1
Get Your FoundationAges 14–18
Take physics, math, electronics, and shop/automotive courses
Build model aircraft, work on engines, learn to use precision measurement tools
Visit aviation museums, air shows, and local airports — talk to A&P mechanics
Consider Civil Air Patrol or EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) youth programs
Research FAA Part 147 schools early — they have specific enrollment timelines
2
Complete FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance SchoolAges 18–20
Enroll in an FAA-certified Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS)
Programs run 18–24 months covering airframe and powerplant (A&P) curriculum
Senior mechanics at major airlines earn $85–110K+ with overtime pushing $130K+
Quality inspectors, technical representatives, and maintenance supervisors ($90–120K)
FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) — examine and certify other mechanics
Aviation maintenance instructor at Part 147 schools ($60–85K + benefits)
Start your own maintenance shop — FAA Part 145 Repair Station certification allows you to operate independently
Airlines & Aviation Employers
Delta Air Lines
Largest airline maintenance operation in the US. Delta TechOps is a world-class MRO facility in Atlanta. Top-tier pay ($85-110K+), profit sharing, travel benefits, and union representation (IAM).
United Airlines / American Airlines
Major carriers with maintenance bases across the country. Structured advancement, type-rating training, and travel benefits. Union scale pay with overtime opportunities.
Boeing / Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman
Defense and aerospace manufacturers hire A&P mechanics for production, modification, and field service. Security clearance opens premium-pay positions ($75-120K).
NetJets / Textron Aviation / Gulfstream
Corporate/business aviation offers premium pay, regular schedules, and high-end aircraft. NetJets is the largest private jet operator — hires A&Ps nationwide.
MRO Facilities (AAR Corp, ST Engineering, HAECO)
Independent Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul facilities perform heavy maintenance for multiple airlines. Steady work, diverse aircraft exposure, and career advancement.
The aviation industry faces a massive mechanic shortage. Boeing projects the need for 690,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians globally by 2042. With a wave of retirements and growing airline fleets, the job market has never been stronger for A&P mechanics.
FAA Part 147 schools take 18-24 months and cost $15-40K. You graduate with a federal certificate (A&P) that's recognized worldwide and never expires. Starting pay is $50-65K, and major airline mechanics earn $85-110K+ within 7-10 years. Compare that to a 4-year engineering degree costing $80-150K — aircraft mechanics earn more than many engineers, start earning sooner, and have virtually guaranteed employment in a shortage market.
The Real Talk
The Good
Federal certification (A&P) is recognized worldwide and never expires
Massive shortage — Boeing projects 690,000 new mechanics needed globally by 2042
Strong pay progression — major airline mechanics earn $85-110K+ with benefits
Travel benefits — airline employees fly free or at deep discounts
Short training — 18-24 months vs. 4-year degree
Work on incredible machines — there's nothing like an aircraft engine at full power
The Hard Parts
Night and weekend shifts are common, especially early in your career
Physically demanding — working in tight spaces, on your feet, in hangars that can be hot or cold
The responsibility is real — your signature means "this aircraft is safe to fly"
Noise exposure, chemical exposure (solvents, fuels), and safety risks require constant vigilance
Career advancement can be slow at unionized airlines — seniority rules everything
Is It Worth It?
If you've ever watched a 500,000-pound aircraft take off and thought "how does that work?" — this career lets you be the answer. Aircraft mechanics hold one of the most important certifications in any trade: the FAA A&P. When you sign that logbook, you're saying "I guarantee this aircraft is safe." That level of responsibility comes with strong pay, federal recognition, and a job market that literally cannot find enough qualified people. The aviation industry is desperate for the next generation of mechanics. The door is wide open.
A Career Is Just One Part of Your Story
The best careers don't just pay well — they give you freedom, purpose, and time for the people and things you love. Choose a path that makes your whole life better, not just your resume.
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