Wrench & WingIs Aircraft Mechanic (A&P) a Good Career? Pros, Cons, Pay and Outlook
Updated · Written and reviewed by the Wrench & Wing editorial team
- BLS median $79,870 (May 2025); about 11,400 openings a year projected
- Trade-offs: physical work, shifts, lower entry pay
- Paths: Part 147 school, military or on-the-job experience
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The short answer
For many people, yes. It's a solid trade with a federal certificate that travels with you.
Pay is well above the all-jobs median, and retirements keep openings coming. The trade-offs are physical work, shift schedules and lower pay at the start.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Portable credential: the FAA certificate is yours, not your employer's.
- Above-median pay: $79,870 median vs $50,980 for all jobs.
- Steady openings: ~11,400 a year, mostly replacing retirees.
- Several ways in: school, military or on-the-job.
- Room to grow: lead, inspector and IA roles.
Cons
- Physical: ladders, noise, tight spaces, crouching.
- Schedules: nights, weekends and holidays.
- Entry pay: below the median at first.
- Up-front time and cost for training and tests.
- High responsibility and deadline pressure.
Work-environment points are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; pay from BLS OEWS; openings from BLS projections.
Pay and job outlook
Half of aircraft mechanics earn more than $79,870 and half earn less. The top 10% earn over $128,890.
BLS expects modest growth, plus a steady stream of openings as workers retire or move on.
State-by-state pay: A&P pay by state. Costs: what A&P school costs.
Paths into the career
Every path leads to the same FAA certificate under 14 CFR 65.77.
| Path | Rule | 2025 new certificates |
|---|---|---|
| Part 147 school | §65.77(a) | 7,496 |
| Military experience | §65.77(b) | 1,375 |
| Civilian experience | §65.77(b) | rest of 11,103 total |
Source: ATEC 2026 Pipeline Report. The step-by-step flow, months and costs are in how to become an A&P mechanic.
Who becomes an aircraft mechanic?
Why the age gap? Certificate counts include people who no longer work as mechanics. Career-changers are a minority, but not unusual. See switching at 30, 40 or 50.
Women in aviation maintenance: why the numbers conflict
You'll see figures from 3% to 13%. Each one measures a different group.
- Certificate counts include every holder, working or not, and change slowly.
- Employment surveys count people in the job, certificated or not, from samples.
- Graduate shares show who is entering now.
ATEC also reports women are more than 8% of new school-trained certificate holders, versus 3.9% from the military and 4.6% from civilian experience. If graduate shares hold, the certificated share should rise slowly (our inference, not a forecast).
Is it a fit for you?
- Do you like hands-on troubleshooting and precise, documented work?
- Can you handle shift work and physical tasks in heat, cold and tight spaces?
- Can you afford the training period, or find an employer to build experience with?
Leaning yes? Try the free A&P Powerplant practice quiz to see what the written test covers, and read how long it takes.
Questions and answers
Is aircraft mechanic a good career?
It can be. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians and projects about 11,400 openings a year from 2025 to 2035. The trade-offs are physical work, shift schedules including nights and weekends, and lower pay at entry level.
What are the downsides of being an aircraft mechanic?
BLS describes noise and vibration, work on ladders and scaffolds, uncomfortable positions, deadline stress and shifts that can include nights, weekends and holidays. Entry pay is below the median.
How much do new A&P mechanics make?
Schools surveyed by ATEC reported an average starting wage of $30.70 per hour for 2025 graduates who earned an FAA mechanic certificate. Pay varies by employer and location, and no pay is guaranteed.
What is the average age of aircraft mechanics?
ATEC reports the average FAA-certificated mechanic is 55, with 44% over 60. Census survey data compiled by Data USA put the average age of people employed in the occupation at 39.6 in 2024.
What percentage of aircraft mechanics are women?
It depends on what is measured: about 3% of FAA mechanic certificate holders (3.04% at the end of 2025), 5.89% to 8.1% of people employed in the occupation depending on the survey, and 13% of 2025 Part 147 school graduates.
Do I need to go to school to become an aircraft mechanic?
No. Under 14 CFR 65.77 you can qualify with a Part 147 school certificate or with documented practical experience (18 months for one rating or 30 months for both), which can be gained on the job or in the military.
Related guides
- How to become an aircraft mechanic (A&P)
- A&P school vs the experience route
- A&P pay by state
- Switching at 30, 40 or 50
- How long it takes to get an A&P
Pay and outcomes vary; no job or pay is guaranteed. Informational only. Not affiliated with the FAA or any school. No school pays to appear on this site.