Career Trends: Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians

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).

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields. They often must meet strict deadlines to maintain flight schedules. The environment can be loud because of aircraft engines and equipment. Workers frequently bend, stoop, and reach from ladders and scaffolds. Most mechanics and technicians work full time; overtime and weekend work is common.

Many aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians learn their trade at an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school. Others enter with a high school education or equivalent and are trained on the job. Some workers enter the occupation after receiving training in the military. Although not required, aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians typically become licensed or certified.

Employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to show little or no change from 2014 to 2024. Job prospects will be best for mechanics who hold an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate.

This occupation supported 138,800 jobs in 2012 and 137,300 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 1.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 2.5% in 2022 to 142,300 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 139,500, compared with an observed value of 137,300, 1.6% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 1.2% in 2024 to 139,000 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 143,000 jobs for 2024, 2.9% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.