How to hire an airframe technician

How to hire an airframe technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step airframe 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 airframe technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new airframe technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post an airframe technician job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your airframe technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an airframe technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect airframe technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of airframe technicians.

   Type of Airframe Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Airframe 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).	$12-31
   Aircraft Fueler	Aircraft fuelers' primary role is to ensure the proper refueling of aircraft before and after a flight. The position is essential, as proper refueling determines the safety of an aircraft... Show more	$12-21
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Powerplant
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Hand Tools
   • FAA
   • Maintenance Tasks
   • Technical Data
   • Aircraft Maintenance
   • Technical Manuals
   • Test Equipment
   • Structural Repairs
   • Airframe Systems
   • Maintenance Checks
   • Landing Gear
   • Field Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
   • Perform heavy maintenance on MD80 aircraft assuring compliance with manufacturer, company, and FAA specifications.
   • Complete all assign maintenance operations without incidence, in accordance with FAA approve procedures.
   • Analyze aircraft publications to troubleshoot aircraft discrepancies down, assessing proper course of action for repair and/or replacement of malfunctioning equipment.
   • Perform limited maintenance operational checks to include APU run-up and schedule inspections.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your airframe technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An airframe technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, airframe technicians' average salary in nebraska is 40% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level airframe technicians 59% less than senior-level airframe technicians.
   • Certifications. An airframe technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an airframe technician's salary.

   Average airframe technician salary

   $42,897yearly

   $20.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level airframe technician salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing an airframe technician job description

   A good airframe 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 airframe technician job description:

   Airframe technician job description example

   • Licenses/Certificates: Airframe Certificate required; Powerplant Certificate preferred; valid driver's license and acceptable driving record; Man Lift qualified; tool inventory per department tool list required.
   • Attendance: Regularly scheduled attendance required.
   • Physical: Routinely lifts up to 50 lbs. and occasionally up to 100 lbs.; reads small print; hears sounds associated with mechanical deficiencies; repetitive motion; works with moving parts and vibration; tolerates products, materials and fumes associated with aircraft maintenance; tolerates working in confined spaces and heights above four feet; tolerates walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing and sitting.
   • Environmental: Tolerates working in extreme temperatures and in noisy environments.
   • Work Schedule: Must be available for all shifts.

   Education and Experience Qualifications

   Airframe Technician I:

   • Entry level to two years Citation maintenance experience on at least one model.
   • High School graduate or equivalent required.
   • FAA Airframe Maintenance Certificate required.
   • FAA Powerplant Certificate preferred.

   Airframe Technician II:

   • Two to four years relevant Citation maintenance experience on at least one model.
   • High School graduate or equivalent required.
   • FAA Airframe Maintenance Certificate required.
   • FAA Powerplant Certificate preferred.

   Airframe Technician III:

   • More than four years relevant Citation maintenance experience on at least one model.
   • High School graduate or equivalent required.
   • FAA Airframe Maintenance Certificate required.
   • FAA Powerplant Certificate preferred.

   Airframe Lead/Master Technician:

   • More than five years relevant Citation maintenance experience on multiple models, with experience overseeing large Citation inspections or managing large repair projects.
   • High School graduate or equivalent required.
   • FAA Airframe Maintenance Certificate required.
   • FAA Powerplant Certificate preferred.

   Available Benefits

   • Moving is expensive and hard work! Relocation Assistance is available for those that qualify.
   • Duncan offers a comprehensive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Vacation/Holiday) that is available to team members on day one.
   • Plan for your medical needs with a Health Savings Account (employer and employee contributions).
   • Save for your future through our 401(k) program where you can begin contributions within your first 45 days, 50% match on first 6% contributed
   • Participate in Duncan Aviation's Tool Account Program , to acquire & grow your Tool Inventory all while making interest free payments
   • Take advantage of a variety of In-House Training opportunities, or use Tuition Assistance to further your education.
     
     

   Duncan Aviation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find airframe technicians for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your airframe technician job on Zippia to find and recruit airframe 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 airframe 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 airframe technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the airframe technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new airframe 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an airframe technician?