Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
SOC Code: 49-3011 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $70,512 | $88,254 | $106,018 | $123,760 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $55,910 | $78,416 | $100,942 | $123,448 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,245 | $85,717 | $103,168 | $120,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $67,683 | $83,990 | $100,318 | $116,626 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $66,539 | $83,221 | $99,902 | $116,584 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $61,360 | $79,706 | $98,030 | $116,376 |
| Rochester, NY | $62,379 | $80,350 | $98,342 | $116,314 |
| Gainesville, GA | $61,069 | $79,414 | $97,781 | $116,126 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $60,798 | $79,165 | $97,552 | $115,918 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,667 | $81,307 | $97,968 | $114,608 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing | 4.9 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 4.9 | |
| Troubleshooting | 4.5 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.8 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 4.7 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.8 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.7 |
| Transportation | 3.7 |
| Education and Training | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.2 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 66.2% |
| Associate's degree | 15.1% |
| High school diploma | 10.0% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
- Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.
- Measure the tension of control cables.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Access Software AIRPAX CaseBank SpotLight Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Computerized aircraft log manager CALM DatcoMedia EBis Disassembler software Engine analysis software Maintenance information databases
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