Aircraft Maintenance Wages
The median hourly wages of aircraft mechanics and service technicians were about $24.71 in May 2008. The middle 50% earned between $20.25 and $29.25, the lowest 10% earned less than $15.85, and the highest 10% earned more than $33.19.
The median hourly wages in industries employing the largest numbers of general building maintenance workers in May 2008 is shown below:
| Industry | Median Hourly Wages |
| Scheduled air transportation | $27.96 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $24.98 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | $24.47 |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | $24.27 |
| Support activities for air transportation | $20.95 |
The median hourly wages of avionics technicians were about $23.71 in May 2008. The middle 50% earned between $20.10 and $28.02, the lowest 10% earned less than $16.45, and the highest 10% earned more than $30.87.
Aircraft Mechanics working on jets for the major airlines normally earn more than those working on other aircraft. Aircraft Mechanics who graduate from an aviation maintenance school are usually offered higher starting salaries than mechanics who are trained in the Armed Forces or on the job. One perk airline mechanics enjoy is getting reduced fares for themselves and their immediate families on their own airline (employer) and even other airlines.
About 30% of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians union members or covered by union agreements. The main unions are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Transport Workers Union of America. Some mechanics are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
