Wisconsin · BLS OEWS May 2025
Aircraft Mechanic salary in Wisconsin: $73,930 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 Wisconsin earn a median $73,930, seniors at the airlines push past $99,850, 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 $373,154 10-year advantage over the average college path in Wisconsin.
Reviewed by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman, 20+ years in the field.
Aircraft Mechanic pay in Wisconsin
BLS OEWS May 2025 · 1,270 employed
| Wage level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $44,520 | $21.40/hr |
| 25th percentile | $57,780 | $27.78/hr |
| Median wage | $73,930 | $35.54/hr |
| 75th percentile | $85,060 | $40.89/hr |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $99,850 | $48.00/hr |
The 10-year picture
Aircraft Mechanic vs college in Wisconsin
- Aircraft Mechanic, 10 years in
- $694,595
- cumulative earnings minus training costs
- College path, 10 years in
- $321,441
- avg degree, $37,850 debt, $11,568 interest paid
- Head start
- $373,154
- 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 Wisconsin 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 $48,055.
Licensing
What WI 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. Wisconsin employers hire the certificate first and the resume second.
FAQ
Aircraft Mechanic questions, answered straight
How much do aircraft mechanics make in Wisconsin?
The median aircraft mechanic wage in Wisconsin is $73,930 a year ($35.54/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The top 10% earn $99,850 or more. Entry-level pay starts around $44,520.
Is becoming a aircraft mechanic worth it compared to college in Wisconsin?
On the 10-year math, yes. Our model puts a Wisconsin aircraft mechanic at $694,595 in cumulative net earnings after 10 years, versus $321,441 for the average bachelor's path. That is a $373,154 head start, mostly because you earn while you train instead of paying tuition for four years.
How many aircraft mechanics work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 1,270 employed aircraft mechanics in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
- Electrician $76,540
- Plumber $81,210
- HVAC Technician $61,710
- Welder $58,410
- Carpenter $61,660
- Diesel Mechanic $62,450
- Elevator Installer $77,640
- Lineworker $105,820
- Wind Turbine Technician $64,120
- Auto Mechanic $54,350
- Heavy Equipment Operator $75,280
- CDL Truck Driver $58,610
Aircraft mechanics next door
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-3011, 1,270 employed in Wisconsin. ROI model assumptions and sources: methodology.