How To Become An Aircraft Engine Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an aircraft engine technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an aircraft engine technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $20.42 an hour? That's $42,482 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 9,000 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreAircraft Engine TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,482

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%

Asian 6.82%

Black or African American 9.20%

Hispanic or Latino 23.32%

Unknown 5.06%

White 54.98%

Gender

female 2.40%

male 97.60%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.2

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an aircraft engine technician

Explore aircraft engine technician education requirements

Most common aircraft engine technician degrees

Associate

45.5 %

Bachelor's

31.8 %

High School Diploma

18.2 %

Start to develop specific aircraft engine technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Test Cell	10.74%
Hand Tools	7.99%
Support Equipment	7.51%
Test Equipment	7.37%
Maintenance Manuals	7.34%

Complete relevant aircraft engine technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New aircraft engine technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an aircraft engine technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real aircraft engine technician resumes.

Research aircraft engine technician duties and responsibilities

Manage computer information systems used for information to troubleshoot engine malfunctions.
Perform on/off equipment maintenance on propulsion systems and remove, install, troubleshoot, inspect, repair, and modify engine.
Supervise all maintenance and trouble-shooting procedures for detection and correction of avionics to ensure safety of flight operations.
Align and assemble parts to be rivet using jigs, holding fixtures, pins, clamps, and fasteners.

Prepare your aircraft engine technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your aircraft engine technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an aircraft engine technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable aircraft engine technician resume templates

Build a professional aircraft engine technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your aircraft engine technician resume.