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

What is an aircraft worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Aircraft workers are responsible for adjusting and replacing parts such as control cables, fuel tanks, tires, batteries, and filters--mechanic's tools. They make adjustments and settings, such as cable tension and seat movement settings and adjustments. They also obtain standard parts, such as fuel and oil line connections and fittings, cable linkage, and spark plug cables and harnesses. Aircraft workers earn an average salary of $38,000 annually or $18 per hour.

Aircraft workers provide aircraft movement and fire guard services during ground and flight operations. They launch and recover aircraft in support of the activity's flight schedule and make simple repairs and adjustments. They also assemble, install, and replace aircraft mechanical components, parts, and accessories. A great aircraft worker has the ability to read and understand specific directions including disassembly, assembly, and adjustment directions to replace control cables and pulleys.

Aircraft workers typically have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although, a bachelor's or associate's degree in aviation, business, automotive technology, or other related fields is strongly advised.

ScoreAircraft WorkerUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,205

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%

Asian 5.36%

Black or African American 9.44%

Hispanic or Latino 24.13%

Unknown 5.08%

White 55.37%

Gender

female 14.36%

male 85.64%

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 worker

Explore aircraft worker education requirements

Most common aircraft worker degrees

Associate

32.5 %

Bachelor's

31.3 %

High School Diploma

22.1 %

Start to develop specific aircraft worker skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	13.01%
Landing Gear	8.22%
Aircraft Maintenance	7.10%
Safety Rules	6.65%
Ventilation	6.50%

Complete relevant aircraft worker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New aircraft workers 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 worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real aircraft worker resumes.

Research aircraft worker duties and responsibilities

Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
Refuel and defuel various models of civilian and DOD aircraft.
Practice good housekeeping standards, FOD awareness, tool control, and safety procedures at all times.
Perform schedule and unschedule maintenance on communication, radar, instrument, electrical/power distribution, and integrate weapons delivery systems.

Prepare your aircraft worker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your aircraft worker 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 worker 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 worker resume templates

Build a professional aircraft worker 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 worker resume.