How much does an Aviation Mechanic earn? This question has been asked by thousands of students over the years.
The answer varies from state to state, and even within states.
Some states pay well, some pay less.
An aviation mechanic is responsible for repairing aircraft engines.
They also perform other maintenance tasks such as inspecting parts, performing preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting problems.
Aviation Mechanics typically start out earning $20-$30 per hour. After working for several months they can expect to earn between $40-$50 per hour.
In this post, we’ll be going over what it takes to be an aviation mechanic, what they do, and how much they can make in different parts of the world.
What Does An Aviation Mechanic Do?
The job title “aviation mechanic” may sound like a simple one, but there’s actually quite a bit that goes into being one.
To begin with, an aviation mechanic must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition, they need to pass a certification exam before becoming licensed.
Most mechanics work at airports, although some are employed by airlines. There are two types of jobs available: airport-based and airline-based.
Airport-based mechanics repair planes at small airports, while airline-based mechanics work on large commercial jets.
Airport-based mechanics usually get paid hourly. They often work 12-hour shifts, so their average salary is around $25/hr. However, if they’re lucky enough to work overtime, they could earn up to $35/hr.
Airline-based mechanics usually work full time, which means they can earn more than $40/hr. Their schedules vary depending on where they live, but most work 40 hours per week.
There are many things that go into being an aviation mechanic.
For example, they must know how to diagnose problems, fix them, and then test the repairs to ensure everything works properly.
They also need to be able to read manuals and diagrams and understand complex systems.
They must be able to follow written instructions, and be able to communicate effectively with others.
Finally, they must possess good mechanical skills, including the ability to use tools, operate machinery, and solve technical problems.
If you want to become an aviation mechanic, here are some tips to help you along the way:
1. Learn About Aircraft Engines
You don’t necessarily need to learn about aircraft engines. But, if you’re planning on getting into the field, you should familiarize yourself with them.
You might not think that knowing how to fix aircraft engines would be important, but it really is. Not only will you be learning about aircraft engines, but you’ll also learn about all sorts of other things related to aviation.
2. Get Your Hands Dirty
One of the best ways to learn is through hands-on experience. If you want to become an aviator, you’ll probably spend a lot of your time fixing airplanes. You’ll have to learn how to do that, so why not do it now?
3. Take Classes
While you’re still in school, take classes that teach you about aircraft engines. This will give you a head start when you enter the workforce.
Average Aviation Mechanic Salary By State
According to Indeed, the average annual salary for aviation mechanics in the United States is around $70,000.
When it comes to making money as an aviation mechanic, there are several factors that come into play. These include location, industry type, and whether you’ve got a license.
Here’s a look at what the average aviation mechanic makes in each state.
Top 10 states for aviation mechanic salaries:
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- Nevada
- Colorado
- Texas
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
Best States To Be An Aviation Mechanic
You might think that the best state to be an aviation mechanic would simply be the one that has the highest average salary, right? Well, this isn’t necessarily the case.
Each state in the US has its own value on the Cost of Living Index (CLI) which determines how much it costs to live there.
For this reason, you might actually be better off earning a lower salary in a cheaper state than a higher salary in a more expensive one.
Let’s take a look at how each of those top 10 states ranks for CLI (remember that a higher CLI value means it’s more expensive to live in that state:
- Kentucky: 90.9
- Georgia: 89.2
- Nevada: 108.5
- Colorado: 105.6
- Texas: 91.5
- Missouri: 87.1
- Illinois: 94.5
- Virginia: 100.7
- Pennsylvania: 101.7
- Michigan: 88.9
With these figures, we can pretty safely determine that Kentucky and Georgia are fantastic states to be an aviation mechanic in.
Not only do they pay mechanics more on average, but they are also some of the least expensive states to live in, making them the perfect combination!
Is It Hard To Become An Aviation Mechanic?
The first thing that anyone who wants to become an aviation mechanic needs to realize is that this career path isn’t easy.
In fact, it takes years of hard work and dedication before someone becomes qualified to work on aircraft.
It doesn’t matter if you have a degree or not. The truth is that becoming an aviation mechanic requires years of training and practice.
So, if you want to make money as an aviation mechanic and enjoy doing something you love, you’d better be ready to put in the effort.
Find Out What Kind Of Licenses Are Needed
Before you even apply for jobs, you’ll need to find out what licenses you’ll need.
For example, you may need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
This means that you can drive large trucks like semi-trucks.
Have A Good Work Ethic And Be Willing To Put In Long Hours
As we mentioned earlier, becoming an aviation mechanic takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
But, once you finally reach the point where you’re qualified, you’ll need to continue putting in long hours.
Because most people who become aviation mechanics work on planes 24/7, they often end up working very long hours.
If you want to become an airline mechanic, you’ll need to be willing to put in long hours.
And, if you want to become a general aviation mechanic, you’ll need a similar attitude.
Conclusion
Becoming an aviation mechanic isn’t easy, but it does require a good amount of time and effort.
However, when you finally reach your goal, you’ll be able to earn a decent paycheck while enjoying yourself every day.
Hopefully, this article will help you decide whether being an aviation mechanic is right for you.
I decided to create this source of knowledge from my own experiences, in the hopes of helping budding pilots to get through their training.
So, if you’re thinking about becoming a pilot or are in the middle of your training, I hope that this website and my knowledge comes of some benefit to you. I’d love to think that my website made your experience a little less stressful and a lot more fun!
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