When I Grow Up
grownupjobs.com
Back to Aviation & Aerospace
Aviation & Aerospace

Aircraft Mechanic (A&P Certified)

Maintain and repair airplanes. FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certified mechanics are in severe shortage — signing bonuses at major airlines are common.

no-degree-requiredhigh-demandhands-on
64
ROI · Strong
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
49
Expected value
ROI × Attainability ÷ 100
See full ranking →
Compare this career
Salary progression

What you'll earn over your career

$50k
$78k
$115k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+4%
+4% (Average)
Open positions
13,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths

How to get here

Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.

Trade School In Person
FAA-approved A&P Certificate
Time
18–24 months
Cost
$15,000 – $40,000
Top programs
FAA Part 147 SchoolsIn PersonAviation Institute of MaintenanceIn PersonEmbry-Riddle A&PIn Person
Major airlines often offer signing bonuses + relocation.
Fastest ROI
Apprenticeship In Person
Military aviation maintenance → A&P
Time
4–6 years service
Cost
Paid / Free
Top programs
US Air Force Aircraft MaintenanceIn PersonUS Navy AME/AD/AMIn Person
Military experience qualifies for direct A&P testing.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown

What are the odds
you actually get there?

Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.

76
Composite
Attainability Score
Editorial estimate
Editorial estimate — based on best-available qualitative info. We're upgrading individual factors to published statistics where available.
  • Educational difficulty
    How hard the required schooling is to complete
    80
    20%
  • Licensing & exams
    Pass rates and difficulty of required exams
    70
    15%
  • Entry-job competition
    How many applicants per open entry-level role
    80
    20%
  • Career stay-rate
    Inverse of early-career attrition / industry exit
    70
    15%
  • Market demand
    Openings vs available workforce
    85
    15%
  • Alternative paths
    How many viable ways exist to enter the field
    70
    15%
Quick math

If you took the fastest path…

You'd train for
4–6 years service
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$50,000
Mid-career
$78,000
Read more

Articles & resources

Aircraft Mechanics – BLS
BLS
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · FAA

Made with Emergent