by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician covers Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain All Types Of Aircraft Powerplant And Related Systems. Instruction Includes Engine Inspection And Maintenance, Lubrication And Cooling, Electrical And Ignition Systems, Carburetion, Fuels And Fuel Systems, Propeller And Fan Assemblies. Continue reading for the key facts every aircraft powerplant technology/technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aircraft powerplant technology/technician programs.
Across the country, aircraft powerplant technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 3,372 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 93 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aircraft powerplant technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aircraft powerplant technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a aircraft powerplant technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a aircraft powerplant technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,943 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 501 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 99 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 784 |
People currently working in careers related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 37.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 35.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aircraft powerplant technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in aircraft powerplant technology/technician opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 838,729 | 7.2% |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 654,564 | 11.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aircraft powerplant technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $56,998 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $48,162 |
With 93 different aircraft powerplant technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aircraft powerplant technology/technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in aircraft powerplant technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
