Do aircraft mechanics need a license in California?

No statewide license is required for aircraft mechanics in California. Most employers expect industry certifications such as FAA A&P written, oral, and practical tests.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in California (2026)

Q: How long does aircraft mechanic training take in California?

Most people become an Aircraft Mechanic in California through an FAA Part 147 program or documented experience, then FAA written, oral, and practical tests for the A&P certificate.

Q: How much do aircraft mechanics earn in California?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), aircraft mechanics in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $86,100. Employment concentration in California is roughly 0.78 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for aircraft mechanics in California?

California currently employs approximately 12,590 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

California aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median annual wage of $86,100 ($41.40/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 12,590 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 7.8% above the national median of $79,870 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $86,100 ($41.40/hr)
25th percentile: $68,390 per year
75th percentile: $99,650 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $116,690 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $53,860 per year
Workers employed in California: 12,590
Versus national median: 7.8% above the U.S. median of $79,870
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.78 - this occupation is less concentrated in California than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

California employs about 12,590 aircraft mechanics earning a median $86,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Aircraft Mechanic here means completing an FAA Part 147 program or documented experience, then FAA written, oral, and practical tests for the A&P certificate.

California employs approximately 12,590 aircraft mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $86,100 ¹. Nationally, aircraft mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 11,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an Aircraft Mechanic in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance program or the experience path (find programs)
Typical timeline: an FAA Part 147 program or documented experience, then FAA written, oral, and practical tests for the A&P certificate
Licensing authority: Federal Aviation Administration
Exam: FAA A&P written, oral, and practical tests
Median wage (California): $86,100 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in California

How to become an Aircraft Mechanic in California? Complete an FAA Part 147 program or documented experience, then FAA written, oral, and practical tests for the A&P certificate. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish an FAA Part 147 program or documented experience, then FAA written, oral, and practical tests for the A&P certificate. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in California? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect FAA A&P written, oral, and practical tests. See the licensing section below.

What do aircraft mechanics earn in California? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in California is $86,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $53,860 and experienced professionals can earn $116,690 or more ¹.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in California

Meet FAA basic requirements. A&P applicants need a high school diploma or GED and to meet FAA eligibility rules.
Complete Part 147 training or document experience. Graduate from an FAA Part 147 school or document the experience the FAA accepts, including military. This is not a registered apprenticeship path even if some employers use apprentices.
Pass FAA written, oral, and practical tests. Pass General, Airframe, and Powerplant tests. Confirm current totals with the FAA and the school.
Receive the A&P certificate. The FAA issues the certificate. California does not issue a statewide A&P license. Inspection Authorization is a later optional rating.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Aircraft Mechanic License Requirements in California

Aircraft mechanics hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate. California does not issue a state A&P license. See Federal Aviation Administration ³.

Typical path

Complete Part 147 training or document FAA-accepted experience.
Pass written, oral, and practical tests.
Receive the FAA A&P certificate.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Federal Aviation Administration before you enroll.

Aircraft Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in California

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Wages by Metro Area in California

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), aircraft mechanics and service technicians wages in California vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	5,020	$83,250	$86,550	$50,870	$123,120
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	1,720	$87,560	$86,550	$61,440	$104,830
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	1,120	$81,440	$80,480	$56,120	$103,910
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	940	$93,400	$98,470	$62,320	$134,180
Bakersfield-Delano	710	$91,750	$88,450	$57,630	$116,690
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom	510	$82,420	$84,690	$56,490	$118,840
Fresno	320	$71,240	$69,300	$45,830	$84,360
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	260	$98,760	$97,300	$59,160	$138,510
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	210	$79,590	$82,790	$50,100	$109,580
Hanford-Corcoran	170	$85,250	$91,400	$68,470	$108,160
Stockton-Lodi	120	$75,250	$77,370	$49,300	$104,670
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles	110	$85,340	$81,800	$47,600	$95,320
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	80	$78,470	$80,300	$47,910	$135,580
Yuba City	80	$97,240	$92,740	$60,220	$110,880
Santa Rosa-Petaluma	40	$79,810	$86,520	$55,990	$166,120
Visalia	40	$64,060	$67,170	$46,880	$96,890
Redding	30	$69,770	$81,550	$47,950	$155,310

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for aircraft mechanics in California? California currently employs approximately 12,590 aircraft mechanics ¹. Nationally, aircraft mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.

How much do aircraft mechanics earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in California is $86,100, which is $7,420 above the national median of $78,680 according to BLS data ¹.

In California

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Federal Aviation Administration - Licensing Information: https://www.faa.gov/mechanics ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)