Career comparison
Aircraft Mechanic vs. Automotive Service Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Aircraft mechanics earn more at the median ($79,870 vs. $50,620), while automotive service technicians usually get to work faster (6–24 months of training). Aircraft mechanics inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters to FAA standards. Automotive service technicians inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive Service Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) | $50,620 ($24.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,780 – $128,890 | $34,660 – $81,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.4% (faster than average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 11,400 | 66,200 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 18–30 months | 6–24 months |
| Key credential | FAA A&P certificate | ASE A1–A9 |
| Work setting | Aircraft mechanics work in hangars, on flight lines and at repair stations, sometimes outdoors in all weather. | Technicians work in dealerships, independent repair shops, chain stores, fleet garages and government agencies. |
What each job does
Aircraft Mechanic
- Perform scheduled inspections such as annual, 100-hour and airline checks
- Diagnose mechanical, electrical and hydraulic problems
- Repair or replace engines, landing gear, brakes and components
- Repair aircraft structures and sheet metal
- Comply with airworthiness directives and service bulletins
Automotive Service Technician
- Perform inspections and preventive maintenance
- Diagnose problems with scan tools and test equipment
- Repair brakes, steering, suspension and drivetrain components
- Repair engines and electrical systems
- Service heating and air-conditioning systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and in-demand. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose aircraft mechanic if…
- I’m fascinated by airplanes and how they work
- I take rules and documentation seriously
- I’m precise and double-check my work
Choose automotive service technician if…
- I enjoy working on cars
- I like diagnosing problems with tools and data
- I’m comfortable explaining technical problems simply
Still torn? Take the Aircraft Mechanic fit quiz and the Automotive Service Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, aircraft mechanic or automotive service technician?
Aircraft Mechanics earn more at the median: $79,870 versus $50,620 for automotive service technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Automotive Service Technicians typically train faster (6–24 months) than aircraft mechanics (18–30 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects aircraft mechanics to grow +5.4% from 2025–35, compared with +5.0% for automotive service technicians.