Find a Job You Really Want In
When considering a career as an aircraft mechanic, salary is often the top priority for job seekers. Understanding how much aircraft mechanics earn in your state can significantly influence your career decisions.
While individual earnings can vary based on factors like experience and location, comprehensive data provides a clear picture of average salaries for aircraft mechanics across the United States, segmented by seniority level. Although your local salary may deviate from state averages, these figures offer a valuable guideline for what you might expect to earn.
So, which state tops the list for aircraft mechanic salaries in 2026? The title goes to Georgia, with its competitive pay for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for aircraft mechanic salaries:
To gain insight into how aircraft mechanic salaries vary nationwide, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on average pay for aircraft mechanics by state.
We also adjusted the salaries to reflect the cost of living in each state—because a salary in North Carolina has different purchasing power compared to one in California.
Let’s dive deeper into our findings and examine a comprehensive ranking of all the states.
How We Determined Aircraft Mechanic Pay By State
We sourced average annual salary data for aircraft mechanics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, particularly their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’ To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we considered the cost of living in each state.
We then established an index by dividing the average wage for each state by the cost of living relative to the national average. For instance, with a cost of living index in California at 135.9 and an average pay of $77,320, our index value would be:
$77,320 * (100 / 135.9) = $56,894
This allowed us to rank each state based on this adjusted salary index, identifying the state with the highest ranking as offering the best average salary for aircraft mechanics.
Detailed List Of Aircraft Mechanic Salaries By State
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary | Average Wage | Cost Of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $81,050 | $74,080 | 91.4 |
| 2 | Illinois | $80,369 | $76,030 | 94.6 |
| 3 | Texas | $78,765 | $71,440 | 90.7 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $78,149 | $67,130 | 85.9 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $77,509 | $78,130 | 100.8 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $75,834 | $68,630 | 90.5 |
| 7 | Missouri | $75,243 | $68,020 | 90.4 |
| 8 | Indiana | $75,229 | $67,330 | 89.5 |
| 9 | Tennessee | $74,351 | $66,470 | 89.4 |
| 10 | Iowa | $73,923 | $67,270 | 91.0 |
| 11 | Alabama | $73,399 | $66,940 | 91.2 |
| 12 | Kansas | $72,969 | $65,600 | 89.9 |
| 13 | Virginia | $72,559 | $73,140 | 100.8 |
| 14 | Delaware | $71,893 | $72,900 | 101.4 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $71,834 | $69,320 | 96.5 |
| 16 | Ohio | $71,791 | $67,340 | 93.8 |
| 17 | Michigan | $70,966 | $63,160 | 89.0 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $70,581 | $71,570 | 101.4 |
| 19 | Colorado | $70,279 | $72,950 | 103.8 |
| 20 | Arizona | $70,020 | $68,620 | 98.0 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $69,836 | $64,110 | 91.8 |
| 22 | Nevada | $69,244 | $71,530 | 103.3 |
| 23 | Maryland | $67,123 | $84,240 | 125.5 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $66,554 | $81,130 | 121.9 |
| 25 | Florida | $66,174 | $65,050 | 98.3 |
| 26 | Washington | $65,513 | $68,920 | 105.2 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $64,845 | $56,480 | 87.1 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $64,527 | $64,140 | 99.4 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $64,419 | $60,490 | 93.9 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $63,845 | $56,950 | 89.2 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $63,839 | $60,520 | 94.8 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $63,516 | $81,110 | 127.7 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $63,243 | $61,220 | 96.8 |
| 34 | Idaho | $62,540 | $57,600 | 92.1 |
| 35 | Utah | $61,860 | $57,530 | 93.0 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $61,226 | $73,900 | 120.7 |
| 37 | Montana | $61,021 | $61,510 | 100.8 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $60,623 | $70,930 | 117.0 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $60,107 | $56,140 | 93.4 |
| 40 | New York | $59,763 | $78,290 | 131.0 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $59,519 | $54,520 | 91.6 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $59,405 | $58,930 | 99.2 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $58,919 | $61,100 | 103.7 |
| 44 | Oregon | $58,486 | $67,610 | 115.6 |
| 45 | California | $56,894 | $77,320 | 135.9 |
| 46 | Massachusetts | $56,364 | $75,190 | 133.4 |
| 47 | Alaska | $53,455 | $70,080 | 131.1 |
| 48 | Vermont | $52,171 | $63,180 | 121.1 |
| 49 | Maine | $50,451 | $55,900 | 110.8 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $44,711 | $75,070 | 167.9 |
Understanding the landscape of aircraft mechanic salaries across the U.S. is essential for making informed career choices. The data reflects not only the potential earnings but also the varying costs of living that can impact your financial well-being. As the demand for skilled aircraft mechanics continues to grow, particularly in a rapidly evolving technological environment, now is an excellent time to explore opportunities in this rewarding field.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to advance your career, being aware of where you can earn the highest salaries will empower you to make strategic decisions. Stay informed and take advantage of the resources available to you as you navigate your career path in the aviation industry.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
