How long does aircraft mechanic training take in Iowa?

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 Iowa?

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

What apprenticeships are available for aircraft mechanics in Iowa?

In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of 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 Iowa (2026)

Q: How much do aircraft mechanics earn in Iowa?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), aircraft mechanics in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $69,890. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.24 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 Iowa?

Iowa currently employs approximately 330 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

Iowa aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median annual wage of $69,890 ($33.60/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 330 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -12.5% below the national median of $79,870 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $69,890 ($33.60/hr)
25th percentile: $43,720 per year
75th percentile: $80,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $93,130 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $33,740 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 330
Versus national median: -12.5% below the U.S. median of $79,870
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.24 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

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

Iowa employs about 330 aircraft mechanics earning a median $69,890 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 (Iowa): $69,890/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Iowa: 330 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.24x 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 Iowa

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Des Moines-West Des Moines	130	$59,100	$63,090	$30,520	$100,570
Omaha	130	$67,350	$63,310	$34,250	$82,990
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	60	$54,690	$59,760	$38,570	$83,870
Sioux City	40	$67,350	$62,400	$33,740	$79,440

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 (Iowa): $69,890 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Iowa

How to become an aircraft mechanic in Iowa? Iowa 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 Iowa? 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 Iowa? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in Iowa is $69,890 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,740 and experienced professionals can earn $93,130 or more ¹.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Iowa

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa

Iowa 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 Iowa for details on certification preparation courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for aircraft mechanics in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 330 aircraft mechanics ¹. Nationally, aircraft mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do aircraft mechanics earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in Iowa is $69,890, which is $8,790 below the national median of $78,680 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)