Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Aircraft technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an aircraft technician. Aircraft technicians usually study aviation, automotive technology, or business. 39% of aircraft technicians hold a associate degree, and 29% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 2,958 real aircraft technician resumes to see exactly what aircraft technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for aircraft technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online aircraft technician courses to help get the education required to be an aircraft technician.
There are certain aircraft technician certifications that you should consider. These aircraft technician certifications include Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and Unmanned Systems Aircraft Maintenance.
What education do you need to become an aircraft technician?
What degree do you need to be an aircraft technician?
- Associate, 39%
- Bachelor's, 29%
- High School Diploma, 16%
- Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become an aircraft technician?
Most common colleges for aircraft technicians
| Aircraft technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 13.04% |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 10.87% |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach | 10.87% |
| Vincennes University | 5.80% |
| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | 5.80% |
Best majors for aircraft technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 28.7% |
| 2 | Automotive Technology | 16.8% |
| 3 | Business | 10.5% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 6.5% |
| 5 | Aerospace Engineering | 5.8% |
Best colleges for aircraft technicians
The best colleges for aircraft technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An aircraft technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for aircraft technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become aircraft technicians.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
2. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
3. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$11,822
Enrollment
1,834
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Baker College
Owosso, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$9,800
Enrollment
8,319
6. Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$27,124
Enrollment
2,035
7. SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
Cobleskill, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,654
Enrollment
2,231
8. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville
Morrisville, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,670
Enrollment
2,758
9. Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS • Private
In-state tuition
$10,383
Enrollment
17,611
10. University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$8,580
Enrollment
10,482
20 best online courses for aircraft technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Development of Secure Embedded Systems
Three people died after the crash landing of an Asiana Airlines aircraft from Seoul, Korea, at San Fransisco International Airport (SFO) on July 6, 2013. The American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) established that the crash most probably was caused by the flight crew's (in)actions. Three teenage girls lost their lives; two in the airplane and another was accidentally run over by a firetruck.\n\nThe human factor is often cause for accidents. NTSB and others report that more than 50...
2. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
3. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
4. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
5. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics
This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...
6. Maintenance Planning Basics
Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...
7. Maintenance Management Basics
Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...
8. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
9. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
10. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
11. Real World SAP - Plant Maintenance Orders and Notifications
Learn SAP PM / EAM with a focus on real world scenarios...
12. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes
Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...
13. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
14. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...
15. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
16. Electronic & Electrical Devices Maintenance & Troubleshooting
This course will give you everything you need to start playing with electronics components and fix electronic devices...
17. Construction Site Electrical System Design
Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...
18. Electrical Power Equipment
Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...
19. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
20. Systems Innovation
Learn systems innovation - the new systems-based approach to enabling transformative change within complex organizations...
Top 10 most affordable universities for aircraft technicians
The most affordable schools for aircraft technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for aircraft technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for aircraft technicians.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for aircraft technicians
The hardest universities for aircraft technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for aircraft technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for aircraft technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for aircraft technicians
The easiest schools for aircraft technicians to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an aircraft technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for aircraft technicians.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
7. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
8. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average aircraft technician salary by education level
| Aircraft technician education level | Aircraft technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $49,647 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $54,928 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $54,900 |
Aircraft technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
Search for aircraft technician jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025