How to hire an aircraft technician

How to hire an aircraft technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aircraft technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aircraft technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an aircraft technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The aircraft technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An aircraft technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, aircraft technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of aircraft technician salaries for various roles:

   Type of Aircraft Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Aircraft Technician	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$17-33
   Systems Mechanic	A systems mechanic specializes in repairing and maintaining systems, ensuring machines operate smoothly and efficiently. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies upon their company or place of employment, it typically includes meeting with clients to identify their needs, inspecting machinery, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing wirings, and recommending other services when necessary... Show more	$24-43
   Helicopter Mechanic	A helicopter mechanic is tasked with making sure all a helicopter's parts are good and working well. They thoroughly inspect and ensure that the helicopter and other aircraft meet standard regulations and are fit for flight... Show more	$21-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FAA
   • Airframe
   • Aircraft Components
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Ground Support Equipment
   • Landing Gear
   • Hand Tools
   • Engineering Drawings
   • CMP
   • Maintenance Manuals
   • OSHA
   • Electrical Components
   • Airbus
   • Mechanical Systems

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and train personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations.
   • Used micrometers, calipers and depth gauges to verify quality standards are met and document discrepancies.
   • Diagnose and troubleshoot malfunctions in CH-47F engines and their components.
   • Perform structural repairs as required and prepare components for NDI inspections by cleaning and striping and repainting components after inspections.
   • Perform structural installation on wing tips, used reamers, drill bushing for hi-lock countersunk rivets, and cherry max fasteners.
   • Perform and supervise the maintenance/repair requirements of helicopter hydraulic/pneumatic systems components.

   More aircraft technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aircraft technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An aircraft technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, aircraft technicians' average salary in alaska is 42% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aircraft technicians earn 48% less than senior-level aircraft technicians.
   • Certifications. An aircraft technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an aircraft technician's salary.

   Average aircraft technician salary

   $50,212yearly

   $24.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aircraft technician salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average aircraft technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$68,081	$33
   2	Maryland	$61,430	$30
   3	Colorado	$57,144	$27
   4	Washington	$55,902	$27
   5	New York	$54,597	$26
   6	Texas	$53,196	$26
   7	Massachusetts	$49,757	$24
   8	Arizona	$48,516	$23
   9	Wisconsin	$47,952	$23
   10	Florida	$47,705	$23
   11	Nebraska	$47,089	$23
   12	Oregon	$46,396	$22
   13	Alabama	$46,335	$22
   14	Ohio	$46,293	$22
   15	Missouri	$46,107	$22
   16	Mississippi	$45,654	$22
   17	Illinois	$45,635	$22
   18	Georgia	$43,978	$21
   19	North Carolina	$43,735	$21
   20	Alaska	$36,122	$17

   Average aircraft technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Aviation Technology Group	$72,395	$34.81
   2	Gillette	$61,184	$29.42
   3	Brasfield & Gorrie	$58,068	$27.92
   4	Boeing	$57,783	$27.78	27
   5	Lockheed Martin	$55,537	$26.70	85
   6	Ball	$55,182	$26.53
   7	HEICO	$55,101	$26.49	11
   8	General Dynamics	$54,701	$26.30	87
   9	Aerotek	$53,372	$25.66	140
   10	AFT	$52,801	$25.39
   11	Gulfstream Aerospace	$52,088	$25.04	94
   12	SSE plc	$52,010	$25.00	2
   13	BAE Systems	$51,160	$24.60	23
   14	Arizona Department of Public Safety	$49,924	$24.00
   15	(i)Structure	$49,304	$23.70
   16	Reliable Robotics	$49,304	$23.70	7
   17	PDS Tech	$49,247	$23.68	23
   18	Wencor	$49,215	$23.66
   19	Duncan Aviation	$48,964	$23.54	13
   20	LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions	$48,956	$23.54

4. Writing an aircraft technician job description

   A good aircraft technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an aircraft technician job description:

   Aircraft technician job description example

   * This position requires cleaning of the interior and exterior of an aircraft, company vehicles, and facilities, as required, to maintain a clean and healthy aircraft so as to keep our passengers returning for travel on Southwest Airlines.
   * Responsibilities
   * The work of the Appearance Technician shall include, but not be limited to
   * Cleaning, washing, and polishing the interior and exterior of airplanes, airplane parts, maintenance equipment, shops, and hangars
   * Replacement of aircraft seat covers and aisle rugs on service checks, turnarounds, or through-flights
   * The driving of motor vehicles, when necessary, in connection with the work of an Appearance Technician
   * Carry out safety and/or security initiatives as directed by Southwest Airlines or the FAA
   
   * Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
   * May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
   
   * Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   * Must be able to read documents, follow instructions, learn, and understand operations procedures, rules, and regulations
   * Must be able to perform well in a fast-paced environment, subject to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat or extreme cold, as well as aircraft noise
   * Must be able to be alert to moving vehicles or aircraft and use radio equipment as needed
   * Must be able to communicate information and instructions in writing, verbally, or via radio equipment, as needed
   * Must be capable of being trained on, as well as, operate a forklift and a tug
   * Must be capable of being trained on, as well as, operate scissor and boom lifts at heights of up to 40 feet
   * Must be able to easily climb up and down ladders, stairs, and stands while cleaning the interior and/or exterior of the aircraft, including times while washing and waxing the aircraft
   * Must be able to work rotating shifts, holidays, and overtime
   
   Responsibilities Replacement of aircraft seat covers and aisle rugs on service checks, turnarounds, or through-flights. The driving of motor vehicles, when necessary, in connection with the work of an Appearance Technician. Carry out safety and/or security initiatives as directed by Southwest Airlines or the FAA. May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find aircraft technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any aircraft technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level aircraft technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aircraft technician job on Zippia to find and recruit aircraft technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit aircraft technicians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft technician

   Once you've found the aircraft technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new aircraft technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an aircraft technician?