by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician involves the study of Airframe Mechanics And Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain All Aircraft Components Other Than Engines, Propellers, Avionics, And Instruments. Includes Instruction In Layout And Fabrication Of Sheet Metal, Fabric, Wood, And Other Materials Into Structural Members, Parts, And Fittings, And Replacement Of Damaged Or Worn Parts Such As Control Cables And Hydraulic Units. Continue reading for the essential details every airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 7,637 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 146 schools to determine the best overall colleges for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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 | 4,682 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,480 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 26 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,348 |
People currently working in careers related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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 airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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 146 different airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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.
