by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 97 U.S. colleges awarded 3,661 degrees and certificates in Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 77 schools in its 2027 Best Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing, rising to $54,355 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, aircraft powerplant technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 3,661 degrees awarded annually. 97 colleges award aircraft powerplant technology/technician degrees, an average of 38 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 458.
By level, the 3,661 awards include 1,848 certificates, 675 associate degrees, 132 bachelor’s degrees and 952 master’s degrees.
Women earned 11% of aircraft powerplant technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (415 of 3,661). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,109) and Hispanic or Latino (805), and international students earned 42.
College Factual ranks 77 schools in its 2027 Best Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 39 for associate degrees, 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks aircraft powerplant technology/technician schools within 11 states. In all, 97 colleges offer aircraft powerplant technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common aircraft powerplant technology/technician credential is the certificate: 1,848 of the 3,661 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician call most for Equipment Maintenance, Repairing and Troubleshooting, and for knowledge of Mechanical, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Finger Dexterity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,848 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 675 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 132 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 952 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician, at 37.3%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $52,580; the strongest outlook belongs to Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, at 11.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Structures Mechanic, Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic, Body Worker and Precision Aircraft Systems Assembler.
The occupation related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician with the most projected jobs is Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, at 838,729.
| 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% |
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing their program, $54,355 after four years and $49,650 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,805 |
| 4 years | $54,355 |
| 5 years | $49,650 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to aircraft powerplant technology/technician, with a median salary of $56,998.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $56,998 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $48,162 |
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician has 17 similar majors in the Mechanic & Repair Technologies field, which together award 77,963 degrees a year; the largest are Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (46,331), Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (10,172) and Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician (9,434). Browse all Mechanic & Repair Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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