Aircraft maintenance technician
Also known as: airworthiness technician, aviation maintenance technician, avionics mechanical technician, aircraft systems maintenance technician, aircraft instrument operative, aeroplane preventative maintenance technician
About this occupation
Aircraft maintenance technicians perform preventive maintenance to aircrafts, aircrafts components, engines and assemblies, such as airframes and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They perform inspections following strict protocols and aviation laws.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use technical documentation
- follow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipment
- technical drawings
- disassemble engines
- apply technical communication skills
- mechanics
- engineering principles
- evaluate engine performance
- electromechanics
- assemble electrical components
- repair engines
- read standard blueprints
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$79,870 a year (2025), 138,090 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.2)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.1)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Avionics Technicians
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Aircraft Service Attendants
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.