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What is an aviation maintenance technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

An aviation maintenance technician repairs and maintains aircraft. These technicians inspect, troubleshoot, and repair problems with a variety of aircraft systems. They also perform routine maintenance, including changing oil and filters, replacing worn parts, and inspecting landing gear. Aviation maintenance technicians must follow strict safety regulations and have a strong understanding of aircraft systems and an ability to comprehend technical manuals.

ScoreAviation Maintenance TechnicianUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,794

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.0

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 4.88%

Black or African American 8.57%

Hispanic or Latino 29.26%

Unknown 6.69%

White 50.08%

Gender

female 8.69%

male 91.31%

Age - 31
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 - 31
Stress Level
7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.6

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.8

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Aviation Maintenance Technician?

Pros

  • Good job security and earning potential due to high demand for technicians

  • Opportunities for advancement into management and specialized roles

  • Ability to specialize in areas like avionics, engines, and more

  • Possibility for travel with maintenance teams or for training

  • Chance to work in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment

Cons

  • Potential for on-the-job injuries and exposure to hazardous substances

  • Intense physical demands, including standing, bending, and lifting for long periods of time

  • Work can be stressful, especially during time-sensitive maintenance operations

  • Long hours and shift work may affect work-life balance

  • Must be able to work in noisy environments and a variety of weather conditions

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Aviation Maintenance Technician career paths

Key steps to become an aviation maintenance technician

  1. Explore aviation maintenance technician education requirements

    Most common aviation maintenance technician degrees

    Associate

    36.9 %

    Bachelor's

    29.6 %

    High School Diploma

    17.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific aviation maintenance technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Electrical Troubleshooting17.63%
    FAA13.09%
    Maintenance Procedures9.87%
    Airframe9.73%
    Aircraft Maintenance7.56%
  3. Complete relevant aviation maintenance technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New aviation maintenance 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 aviation maintenance technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real aviation maintenance technician resumes.
  4. Gain additional aviation maintenance technician certifications

    Aviation maintenance technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific aviation maintenance technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for aviation maintenance technicians include Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and Avionics Electronics Technician (AVN).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research aviation maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

    • Use technical specifications, sketches, manuals, drawings, engineering notices, and FAA forms and publications to accomplish work.
    • Perform scheduled and unschedule maintenance using RF electronic equipment and specialize test equipment.
    • Experience with oxygen/acetylene, Mapp gas brazing.
    • Certify in all power tools, lifts and scaffolding.
  6. Prepare your aviation maintenance technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your aviation maintenance 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 aviation maintenance 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 Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume templates

    Build a professional Aviation Maintenance 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 Aviation Maintenance Technician resume.
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    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
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    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
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    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
    Aviation Maintenance Technician Resume
  7. Apply for aviation maintenance technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an aviation maintenance technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Aviation Maintenance Technician Job

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Average aviation maintenance technician salary

The average Aviation Maintenance Technician salary in the United States is $51,794 per year or $25 per hour. Aviation maintenance technician salaries range between $35,000 and $75,000 per year.

Average Aviation Maintenance Technician Salary
$51,794 Yearly
$24.90 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do aviation maintenance technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

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1 Star

Aviation Maintenance Technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2021
Pros

Troubleshooting complex systems to repair faults.

Cons

The hours. Most of the maintenance occurs at night, since the majority of aircraft fly during the day and sit overnight at airports.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Pros

I like to work with my hands and the feeling of a job well done.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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