America needs the next generation of aircraft maintenance professionals.

As commercial aviation, general aviation, aerospace manufacturing, business aviation and other sectors continue to depend on a highly skilled maintenance workforce, opportunities for aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians remain strong.

New federal research released in September 2026 also highlights an important challenge: although more high schools are introducing students to aircraft maintenance careers, not every aviation maintenance program provides the same pathway toward FAA mechanic certification.

For students considering an aviation maintenance career, understanding the difference between an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) and an uncertificated aviation maintenance program can make a major difference in planning the path toward an Airframe and Powerplant—or A&P—certificate.

Aircraft Maintenance Careers Are in Demand

The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections reinforce the need for aviation maintenance professionals.

For 2025–2035, BLS projects:

• Approximately 13,100 openings per year for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians.
• 6% overall employment growth for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians—faster than the projected average for all occupations.
• Approximately 140,000 aircraft mechanic and service technician jobs existed in 2025.
• Aircraft mechanic and service technician employment is projected to grow from approximately 140,000 in 2025 to 147,600 in 2035.
• Avionics technician employment is projected to grow approximately 9%, from 19,800 jobs in 2025 to 21,600 in 2035.

Many openings are expected to come from both industry growth and the need to replace workers who retire, leave the workforce or move into other occupations.

Demand is also being supported by passenger travel, goods transportation, increasingly complex aircraft systems and growth within the space industry.

What Can Aircraft Mechanics Earn in 2026?

The latest available BLS wage data are from May 2025.

The national median annual wage was:

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians: $79,870

Avionics technicians: $82,280

Actual earnings vary considerably by employer, experience, certification, specialty, location, shift schedule and other factors.

Experienced technicians may advance into positions such as lead mechanic, inspector, supervisor or other maintenance-management roles.

For students searching for an aviation career that combines technical skills, hands-on work and long-term advancement opportunities, aircraft maintenance deserves serious consideration.

What Is an A&P Mechanic?

The FAA issues an Aviation Mechanic certificate with two possible ratings:

Airframe (A) — covering aircraft structures and associated systems.

Powerplant (P) — covering aircraft engines and associated systems.

A mechanic who holds both ratings is commonly referred to as an A&P mechanic.

FAA regulations do not require a mechanic to obtain both ratings, although earning both can broaden employment opportunities.

How Do You Become an FAA-Certificated Aircraft Mechanic?

There are two primary civilian pathways for obtaining the training or experience necessary to qualify for FAA Airframe and/or Powerplant mechanic certification.

Path 1: Attend an FAA-Certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School

An FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School operates under 14 CFR Part 147.

These schools provide structured aviation maintenance education designed to prepare students for careers throughout the aviation maintenance industry.

Depending on the school and program, training may cover areas such as:

• Aircraft structures
• Reciprocating and turbine engines
• Electrical systems
• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• Aircraft inspection
• Maintenance practices
• Composite materials
• Aviation electronics
• Troubleshooting
• FAA regulations and maintenance documentation

The FAA reports that most Part 147 programs take approximately 18 to 24 months, depending on the rating or ratings pursued.

Graduating from an appropriately certificated AMTS provides eligibility to take the applicable FAA mechanic tests when the applicant meets the other certification requirements.

Path 2: Qualify Through Practical Experience

Attending a Part 147 school is not the only route.

Applicants may also qualify through documented practical aviation maintenance experience.

FAA requirements generally call for:

18 months of appropriate practical experience for either the Airframe or Powerplant rating.

OR

30 months of concurrent practical experience for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.

Experience must meet FAA requirements and be properly documented.

Military aviation maintenance experience may also qualify in certain circumstances.

What Tests Are Required for an A&P Certificate?

Applicants must satisfy the applicable FAA eligibility requirements and successfully complete the required certification testing.

The process includes:

1. Knowledge testing
2. Oral testing
3. Practical testing

For applicants pursuing both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, FAA knowledge testing includes General, Airframe and Powerplant subject areas.

The oral and practical examinations are administered by an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner.

Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and meet applicable English-language requirements.

High Schools Are Becoming an Important Part of the Aviation Maintenance Pipeline

One of the most significant aviation workforce developments in 2026 is happening before students even graduate from high school.

A September 2026 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office examined aviation maintenance education available to high-school students.

GAO identified at least 97 programs or schools serving high-school students across the certificated and uncertificated categories it studied.

GAO found:

• 11 FAA-certificated aviation maintenance schools are high schools.
• Another 43 FAA-certificated colleges, universities or career and technical education schools provide aviation maintenance education to high-school students.
• At least 43 additional high schools or school districts offer aviation maintenance programs but are not FAA-certificated under Part 147.

That growth is encouraging because students are being introduced to aviation maintenance careers much earlier.

But there is an important distinction students and parents should understand.

Not Every High-School Aviation Maintenance Program Provides the Same FAA Testing Pathway

Students attending an FAA-certificated Part 147 program may use qualifying school documentation to establish eligibility for applicable FAA mechanic testing.

Students completing an aviation maintenance curriculum at a high school that is not FAA-certificated, however, generally cannot rely on that curriculum alone to establish the same FAA testing eligibility.

They may need additional education or qualifying practical experience before becoming eligible for mechanic certification testing.

GAO identified this difference as a potential barrier to moving students efficiently from high-school aviation programs into professional aircraft maintenance careers.

Why This Became a Federal Issue

Congress addressed the issue in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Section 405 directed the FAA to task the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee with establishing a working group to evaluate whether a high-school student who successfully completes an aviation maintenance curriculum should be permitted to take the General written knowledge portion of the mechanic examination at an FAA-approved testing center.

According to GAO’s September 2026 report, the required assessment had not been completed.

GAO therefore recommended that the FAA establish a group of aviation experts and industry stakeholders to evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding knowledge-test access for these students.

The Department of Transportation agreed with GAO’s recommendation.

For students and schools, this is an important policy issue to watch because future FAA action could potentially create a more direct pathway from qualifying high-school aviation maintenance education into the mechanic certification process.

Barriers Go Beyond FAA Testing Eligibility

GAO found that testing eligibility isn’t the only obstacle facing young people interested in aviation maintenance careers.

Stakeholders identified challenges including:

• Limited awareness of aviation maintenance careers among younger students
• Cost of attending certificated aviation maintenance programs
• FAA testing expenses
• Limited access to Designated Mechanic Examiners
• Shortages of instructors and educational resources
• Transportation challenges
• Additional education requirements for some students
• Limited connections between schools and aviation employers

One of the most frequently identified challenges was simply career awareness.

Many students know what an airline pilot does. Far fewer understand the career opportunities available in aircraft maintenance, avionics, aerospace manufacturing, repair stations, business aviation and other technical aviation fields.

That creates an enormous opportunity for aviation schools and employers.

Industry Partnerships Could Help Build the Next Generation of Mechanics

Partnerships between high schools, technical colleges, FAA-certificated maintenance schools and aviation employers can help students understand the profession before they make postsecondary education decisions.

Programs can expose students to real aircraft, engines, avionics, tools and maintenance environments while helping them understand exactly what education and FAA certification may be required for their career goals.

Internships, job-shadowing programs, career days, apprenticeships and partnerships with aviation companies can make aviation maintenance careers more visible and accessible.

Choosing an Aviation Maintenance School

Before enrolling in a program, prospective students should ask several important questions.

Is the school an FAA-certificated Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School?

Which FAA ratings does the school train students for?

Does completing the program establish eligibility for the applicable FAA mechanic tests?

How long does the program take?

What equipment, aircraft and engines are available for hands-on training?

What are the total tuition, equipment and testing costs?

Does the school provide career placement assistance?

Which aviation employers recruit its graduates?

Are internships or employer partnerships available?

Does the school offer avionics or other specialized training?

Understanding these details before enrollment can help students choose a training program that aligns with their career goals.

Find Aircraft Mechanic Training with Aviation Schools Online

Aviation maintenance is one of the essential foundations of the aviation industry.

Every airline flight, business jet, training aircraft, helicopter and general aviation airplane depends on trained professionals who inspect, troubleshoot, maintain and repair aircraft and their systems.

With thousands of openings projected across aircraft maintenance and avionics occupations each year, now is an excellent time to explore aviation maintenance education and career opportunities.

Aviation Schools Online has been connecting students with aviation education and career opportunities since 2001.

Whether you’re a high-school student discovering aviation for the first time, an adult considering a career change, a military aviation professional transitioning to civilian employment or someone ready to earn an A&P certificate, ASO can help you explore your next step.

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For Aviation Maintenance Schools

Aviation Schools Online helps aviation training providers reach prospective students actively researching aviation education and career opportunities.

An ASO presence can help your school showcase:

• A&P and aviation maintenance programs
• Avionics training
• Campus locations
• Aircraft and training equipment
• Program length and admission information
• Photos and videos
• Contact information
• Career pathways
• Employer partnerships
• Financial assistance information
• Job opportunities

List or enhance your aviation maintenance school on Aviation Schools Online and connect with the next generation of aviation professionals.

Information in this article reflects FAA, GAO and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics information available as of September 2026. FAA certification and testing requirements can change. Prospective applicants should verify current eligibility and testing requirements directly with the FAA and individual training providers.