South Carolina · BLS OEWS May 2025
Aircraft Mechanic salary in South Carolina: $75,160 median, no degree required
I spent five years keeping B-52s flying as an Air Force crew chief, so this one is personal. Aircraft mechanics in South Carolina earn a median $75,160, seniors at the airlines push past $84,600, and the industry has been short on certificated mechanics for years. The credential is the FAA airframe and powerplant certificate, earned through an 18-to-24-month Part 147 school or through military experience, no bachelor's required. The standard is absolute because it has to be, and people who can meet a standard get paid. Our model shows a $376,219 10-year advantage over the average college path in South Carolina.
Reviewed by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman, 20+ years in the field.
Aircraft Mechanic pay in South Carolina
BLS OEWS May 2025 · 1,660 employed
| Wage level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $45,230 | $21.75/hr |
| 25th percentile | $59,360 | $28.54/hr |
| Median wage | $75,160 | $36.13/hr |
| 75th percentile | $81,980 | $39.41/hr |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $84,600 | $40.67/hr |
The 10-year picture
Aircraft Mechanic vs college in South Carolina
- Aircraft Mechanic, 10 years in
- $697,660
- cumulative earnings minus training costs
- College path, 10 years in
- $321,441
- avg degree, $37,850 debt, $11,568 interest paid
- Head start
- $376,219
- trade path is in the black by year 1; college by year 6
Cumulative earnings net of education costs and loan interest; taxes and living costs excluded from both paths. Full math and sources on the methodology page.
The apprenticeship
How you get in
The main road in South Carolina is an FAA Part 147 A&P program: 18 to 24 months covering airframe and powerplant, then the FAA written, oral, and practical exams. Military maintenance experience can qualify you to test directly, which is exactly the road I would have taken. Airlines and MROs recruit straight out of Part 147 schools.
Training cost in our model: $30,000. First-year pay near $48,854.
Licensing
What SC requires
The license IS the trade here: the FAA A&P certificate is federal, valid in every state, and non-negotiable for signing off aircraft. Add an Inspection Authorization later and your value jumps again. South Carolina employers hire the certificate first and the resume second.
FAQ
Aircraft Mechanic questions, answered straight
How much do aircraft mechanics make in South Carolina?
The median aircraft mechanic wage in South Carolina is $75,160 a year ($36.13/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The top 10% earn $84,600 or more. Entry-level pay starts around $45,230.
Is becoming a aircraft mechanic worth it compared to college in South Carolina?
On the 10-year math, yes. Our model puts a South Carolina aircraft mechanic at $697,660 in cumulative net earnings after 10 years, versus $321,441 for the average bachelor's path. That is a $376,219 head start, mostly because you earn while you train instead of paying tuition for four years.
How many aircraft mechanics work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 1,660 employed aircraft mechanics in South Carolina as of the May 2025 OEWS survey.
Is A&P school worth the cost?
Programs run real money (about $30,000 mid-range), which is why the math matters: it is still a fraction of a degree, takes half the time, and leads to a federal certificate in a shortage market. GI Bill and WIOA both apply at many Part 147 schools.
Can military experience count toward the A&P?
Yes. Documented military aviation maintenance experience can authorize you to take the FAA exams without attending Part 147 school. If you served in a maintenance role, check your eligibility before paying anyone tuition.
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Same trade, top pay
Other trades in South Carolina
- Electrician $58,740
- Plumber $53,940
- HVAC Technician $56,610
- Welder $49,980
- Carpenter $50,670
- Diesel Mechanic $59,330
- Elevator Installer $90,860
- Lineworker $76,870
- Wind Turbine Technician $64,120
- Auto Mechanic $48,100
- Heavy Equipment Operator $48,940
- CDL Truck Driver $51,130
Aircraft mechanics next door
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-3011, 1,660 employed in South Carolina. ROI model assumptions and sources: methodology.