The Average Wages for Aircraft Mechanics
If you are interested in working with aircraft as a mechanic, you'll want to consider a position as an airline mechanic. Within the industry, there is a definite distinction between jet mechanics and general airline mechanics, with certification making a big difference in salary.
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Average Salary
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The average hourly wage for an airline mechanic in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged between about $20 per hour for a support mechanic to about $27 per hour for those working in scheduled air transportation. However, according to Avjobs.com, mechanics who are certified can make much more money.
Certification and Training
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According to Avjobs.com, certification makes a difference in overall salaries. Mechanics receiving aviation training from the Federal Aviation Administration, termed airframe and power plant (A&P certification), can command higher salaries, as can those with training from certified training schools. A lead mechanic, with ten or more years of experience and possessing A&P certification, can earn as much as $74,000 or about $45 per hour, nearly double the average.
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Salaries by Employer
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Those airline mechanics who work for large airlines, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, can expect to earn the highest hourly wages, with the highest 10 percent earning about $33 per hour. On the other hand, those working for small airlines or air fields can expect a salary as low as about $15 per hour. About 30 percent of all airline workers are covered by union contracts.
Most Popular Job Locations
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the airline mechanic job market is not expected to have huge growth, with 7 percent growth expected through the year 2018. The hot spots for employment, according to Avjobs.com, are the major terminals and overhaul bases owned by the major airlines. These jobs are located in eastern cities such as New York City, Atlanta, Miami, Midwest locations such as Tulsa, Minneapolis and Kansas City, and western cities such as Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Another major employer is the U.S. Government, with over 100,000 civilian jobs available.
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References
- Photo Credit aircraft image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
