by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 157 U.S. colleges awarded 9,434 degrees and certificates in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 127 schools in its 2027 Best Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance 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.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 9,434 degrees awarded annually. 157 colleges award airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degrees, an average of 60 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 576.
By level, the 9,434 awards include 6,028 certificates, 1,670 associate degrees, 15 bachelor’s degrees and 1,689 master’s degrees.
Women earned 11% of airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,018 of 9,434). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,920) and Hispanic or Latino (2,943), and international students earned 58.
College Factual ranks 127 schools in its 2027 Best Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 59 for associate degrees. It also ranks airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools within 21 states. In all, 157 colleges offer airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician credential is the certificate: 6,028 of the 9,434 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6,028 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,670 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,689 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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 Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance 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 Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic, Structures Mechanic, Skin Installer and Precision Assembler.
The occupation related to airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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% |
Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance 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 airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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 |
Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician has 17 similar majors in the Mechanic & Repair Technologies field, which together award 72,190 degrees a year; the largest are Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (46,331), Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (10,172) and Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician (5,353). Browse all Mechanic & Repair Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
