Denver at a Glance
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Denver
4
Within 100 mi, FAA 2026
Top Score Nearby
61.8
Spartan Denver
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Denver Metro
1,740
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$86,830
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
1.21
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 19740).
Frontier Airlines built a dedicated maintenance facility at Denver International Airport as part of a new gate complex, centralizing maintenance work near its home hub. The airport moved 40,012,895 passengers and landed 1,672,394,412 pounds of cargo in 2024, and local aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median $86,830, above the $79,870 U.S. median for the occupation.
Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in Centennial is 13.3 miles from downtown Denver, with daily aviation maintenance classes and a dual enrollment path for high schoolers. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Broomfield is 15.4 miles out, and Warren Tech South in Littleton sits 18.1 miles away.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Denver
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Denver, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Denver
Best Outcomes Near Denver
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Denver Campus
Highest overall score of the 3 ranked schools, 61.8 out of 100.
Highest IPEDS graduation rate of the 2 ranked schools that report one: 63%.
Most Affordable Near Denver
Lowest comparable program cost of the 2 ranked schools with one: $10,050, published by the school.
Denver Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Denver
The ranked aviation maintenance schools within 100 miles of Denver, ordered by score, plus the nearest ranked schools out to 137 miles so the list has at least 3. High school programs within 100 miles follow the ranking. Scores are national, out of 100, and the table after the cards shows the points behind them.
Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Denver.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Denver
- Best Outcomes Near Denver
#1
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Denver Campus
Broomfield, Colorado 15 miles from Denver #23 nationally
61.8 of 100
This program fits students who want both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings from an Associate of Applied Science in about two years, at a Spartan College campus in the Denver area.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science
- Length
- 23 months
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- 1/5/26, 3/16/26, 6/29/26, 9/7/26, 11/16/26
-
- Most Affordable Near Denver
#2
Aims Community College
Loveland, Colorado 48 miles from Denver #69 nationally
50.4 of 100
This program fits students who want a two-year Aircraft Maintenance Technician degree or certificate near Denver, with a direct hiring pathway into Frontier Airlines.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- AAS; Certificate
- Length
- six semesters, over two years
- Cost
- $10,050, total program tuition, in-district (70 credits)
- Starts
- Spring 2027 cohort applications open, deadline November 20
-
#3
Western Nebraska Community College
Sidney, Nebraska 137 miles from Denver #160 nationally
39.3 of 100
This program fits Nebraska residents who want an in-state Associate of Applied Science or Certificate covering three maintenance phases, especially since it is the state's only FAA-certificated Part 147 school.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science; Certificate
- Length
- minimum 1,900 clock hours
- GI Bill
- Approved
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartan Denver | 61.8 | 26.7 | 1.5 | 14 | 10 | 9.6 |
| 2 | Aims Community College | 50.4 | † | 12.2 | 14 | 5 | † |
| 3 | Western Nebraska Community College | 39.3 | 13.3 | † | 6 | 5 | 2.5 |
High School Pathways
High School Aviation Maintenance Programs Near Denver
These 2 FAA-approved programs are run by a high school or career center, so they are listed apart from the college ranking, nearest first.
See the full best aviation maintenance schools in Colorado ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Denver
Aircraft mechanics in the Denver metro area earn a median of $86,830 a year ($41.75 an hour), $4,750 above the Colorado median of $82,080.
Denver Pay vs. Colorado and U.S. Medians
The Denver median is $6,960 above the U.S. median of $79,870.
Avionics Technician Pay in Denver
BLS counts 140 avionics technicians in the Denver metro area, with a median of $83,780 a year.
Compare metro areas across the state on the Colorado aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.
Local Employers
Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Denver
BLS counts 1,740 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Denver metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 1.21.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Airline Maintenance
Frontier Airlines
Maintenance facility at Denver International Airport
Frontier Airlines built a dedicated 8,000 square foot maintenance facility as part of its new gate complex at Denver International Airport to centralize maintenance personnel and parts near the gates.
8,000 square feet
Source: Frontier Airlines and Denver International Airport Break Ground on 14-Gate Facility on East End of Concourse A (news.flyfrontier.com)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Denver International (DEN) recorded 40,012,895 passenger boardings in 2024, the most of the airports listed here.
| Airport | FAA ID | Hub Class | Passenger Boardings, 2024 | All-Cargo Landed Weight, 2024 (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver International | DEN | Large hub | 40,012,895 | 1,672,394,412 |
Local Context
Frontier Airlines Builds a Maintenance Base at DEN
Frontier Airlines built a dedicated maintenance facility at Denver International Airport as part of a new gate complex, placing maintenance personnel and parts near the gates they serve. The airport itself is a large hub, moving 40,012,895 passengers and landing 1,672,394,412 pounds of cargo in 2024.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Denver: Common Questions
What Schools Near Denver Train Aircraft Mechanics?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Denver?
Who Is the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employer in Denver?
Do Hours Worked at a Local Employer Count Toward FAA Certification?
More Metro Guides
Aviation Maintenance School Rankings in Other Metro Areas
Sources for School and Pay Data
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3011)
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: Avionics Technicians (49-2091)
- Commercial Service Airports, CY2024 Enplanements
- Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- Frontier Airlines: Frontier Airlines and Denver International Airport Break Ground on 14-Gate Facility on East End of Concourse A
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.