How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in New York (2026)

New York employs about 4,300 aircraft mechanics earning a median $102,800 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.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (New York): $102,800/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in New York: 4,300 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.50x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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New York employs approximately 4,300 aircraft mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $102,800 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 New York, 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
  • Exam: FAA A&P written, oral, and practical tests
  • Median wage (New York): $102,800 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in New York

How to become an Aircraft Mechanic in New York? 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 New York? 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 New York? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in New York is $102,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $63,380 and experienced professionals can earn $240,310 or more 1.

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in New York

  1. Meet FAA basic requirements. A&P applicants need a high school diploma or GED and to meet FAA eligibility rules.
  2. 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.
  3. Pass FAA written, oral, and practical tests. Pass General, Airframe, and Powerplant tests. Confirm current totals with the FAA and the school.
  4. Receive the A&P certificate. The FAA issues the certificate. New York 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 New York

Aircraft mechanics hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate. New York does not issue a state A&P license.

Typical path

  1. Complete Part 147 training or document FAA-accepted experience.

  2. Pass written, oral, and practical tests.

  3. Receive the FAA A&P certificate.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Aircraft Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in New York

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City5,110$127,140$138,480$75,330$240,310
Albany-Schenectady-Troy120$72,490$70,030$49,190$90,860
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh120$87,280$94,960$61,220$166,140
Rochester90$79,200$78,940$58,650$98,200
Buffalo-Cheektowaga80$80,040$78,830$57,270$99,990
Syracuse50$75,360$78,870$58,880$104,600

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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 4,300 aircraft mechanics 1. Nationally, aircraft mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do aircraft mechanics earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics in New York is $102,800, which is $24,120 above the national median of $78,680 according to BLS data 1.

In New York

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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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)