How long does aircraft mechanic training take in Illinois?

Most paths into the aircraft mechanic field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do aircraft mechanics need a license in Illinois?

No statewide license is required for aircraft mechanics in Illinois. Most employers expect industry certifications such as FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.

What apprenticeships are available for aircraft mechanics in Illinois?

In Illinois, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Illinois (2026)

Q: How much do aircraft mechanics earn in Illinois?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), aircraft mechanics in Illinois earned a median annual wage of approximately $81,680. Employment concentration in Illinois is roughly 0.62 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 Illinois?

Illinois currently employs approximately 3,370 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

Illinois aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median annual wage of $81,680 ($39.27/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,370 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.3% above the national median of $79,870 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $81,680 ($39.27/hr)
25th percentile: $57,720 per year
75th percentile: $126,500 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $130,950 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,460 per year
Workers employed in Illinois: 3,370
Versus national median: 2.3% above the U.S. median of $79,870
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.62 - this occupation is less concentrated in Illinois than the national average

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

Illinois employs about 3,370 aircraft mechanics earning a median $81,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most aircraft mechanics train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Key Facts

Median wage (Illinois): $81,680/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Illinois: 3,370 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.62x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Aircraft Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin	2,090	$100,610	$101,600	$50,060	$130,950
St. Louis	890	$77,600	$75,620	$47,980	$106,890
Rockford	580	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	60	$54,690	$59,760	$38,570	$83,870
Springfield	60	$60,860	$67,380	$45,820	$90,170
Peoria	50	$68,450	$71,010	$58,870	$82,950

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 .

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Illinois): $81,680 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Illinois

How to become an aircraft mechanic in Illinois? Illinois does not require a state license for aircraft mechanics, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Illinois? No state license is required, but certifications such as FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do aircraft mechanics earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in Illinois is $81,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,460 and experienced professionals can earn $130,950 or more ¹.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Illinois

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Illinois that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Illinois does not require a statewide license, earn FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Aircraft Mechanic Certification Options in Illinois

Illinois does not require a state license to work as an aircraft mechanic. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for aircraft mechanics include:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate

For more information, visit the FAA - Aviation Maintenance Technicians ³. Contact training programs in Illinois for details on certification preparation courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for aircraft mechanics in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 3,370 aircraft mechanics ¹. Nationally, aircraft mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.

How much do aircraft mechanics earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in Illinois is $81,680, which is $3,000 above the national median of $78,680 according to BLS data ¹.

In Illinois

Illinois Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

Explore More Trades in Illinois

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
FAA - Aviation Maintenance Technicians: 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)