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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Did You Know:

  • Most workers learn their jobs in one of about 170 schools certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
  • Job opportunities should be favorable for persons who have completed an aircraft mechanic training program, but keen competition is likely for jobs at major airlines, which offer the best pay and benefits.
  • Job opportunities are likely to continue to be best at small commuter and regional airlines, at FAA repair stations and in general aviation.


Industry Areas

  • Scheduled Air Transportation
  • Support Activities for Air Transportation
  • Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing

Day-to-Day Tasks

  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
  • Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.

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Overall Kind of Work

Today's airplanes are highly complex machines with parts that must function within extreme tolerances for them to operate safely. To keep aircraft in peak operating condition, aircraft and avionic...

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Work Environment

Military

Aircraft mechanics work in aircraft hangars and machine shops located on air bases or aboard aircraft carriers.

Status

What is the difference between enlisted and officer?

Enlisted:
Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.

Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
  • no Officer
  • yes Enlisted

Military Breakdown

The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.

56,315 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians in the military

Service Branches

Aircraft Mechanics work in the following services:

Army Marine Corps Navy Air Force Coast Guard

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: Medium
People: Medium
Things: High

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: Medium
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: High
Math & Science Skills: Medium
Technology Design & Control: High
Leadership: Medium

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: Medium
Exposure to Job Hazards: High
Physical Activity: High
Decision Making: High
Repetitiveness: Medium
Level of Competition: Medium
Time Pressure: Medium