Des Moines at a Glance
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Des Moines
2
Within 100 mi, FAA 2026
Top Score Nearby
61.7
Iowa Western Community College
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Des Moines Metro
130
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$59,100
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
0.37
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 19780).
Aircraft mechanic employment in Des Moines runs at 0.37 times the national concentration, lighter than most metros. Even so, the metro supports two distinct employers: Elliott Aviation, a repair station at Des Moines International Airport, and an Iowa Air National Guard maintenance unit that works on Reaper unmanned aircraft.
Training is close to downtown for high schoolers and a longer drive for adults. Des Moines Public Schools' Aviation Technology Academy is 4.2 miles away and is the only FAA-certified high school program in the Midwest. Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, the region's only college-level option, is 71.3 miles out.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Des Moines
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Des Moines, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Des Moines
Iowa Western Community College
Highest overall score of the 3 ranked schools, 61.7 out of 100.
Des Moines Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Des Moines
The ranked aviation maintenance schools within 100 miles of Des Moines, ordered by score, plus the nearest ranked schools out to 114 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 Des Moines.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Des Moines
#1
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa 114 miles from Des Moines #24 nationally
61.7 of 100
This program fits students near Omaha who want a public Aviation Maintenance Technology associate degree with flexible full-time, part-time, online, and evening scheduling.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.); Aviation Maintenance Tech: Airframe Certificate; plus 1 more
- Length
- 85.5 total semester hours
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Full-time, part-time, online, and evening options available
- Starts
- Fall; Spring; Summer
-
#2
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, Iowa 71 miles from Des Moines #46 nationally
55.3 of 100
This program fits Iowa veterans and civilians who want a GI Bill-eligible, 21-month Aviation Maintenance Technology program with an optional avionics add-on near Ottumwa.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.); Diploma I (Airframe); plus 2 more
- Length
- 21 months / 7 terms
- Cost
- $18,477, total program
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- Fall entry term only
- Avionics
- Option to dual enroll in the Avionics Electronic Technician diploma
-
#3
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 101 miles from Des Moines #118 nationally
42.7 of 100
This program fits eastern Iowa students who want a two-year associate degree or certificate at a newly FAA-approved program combining Kirkwood classroom time with hands-on hangar work at the Eastern Iowa Airport.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Certificate
- Length
- two-year
- GI Bill
- Approved
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa Western Community College | 61.7 | 16.2 | † | 14 | 15 | 4 |
| 2 | Indian Hills Community College | 55.3 | 16.2 | 6.3 | 20 | 10 | 2.8 |
| 3 | Kirkwood Community College | 42.7 | † | † | 6 | 5 | † |
High School Pathways
High School Aviation Maintenance Programs Near Des Moines
This FAA-approved program is run by a high school or career center, so it is listed apart from the college ranking, nearest first.
See the full best aviation maintenance schools in Iowa ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Des Moines
Aircraft mechanics in the Des Moines metro area earn a median of $59,100 a year ($28.42 an hour), $10,790 below the Iowa median of $69,890.
Des Moines Pay vs. Iowa and U.S. Medians
The Des Moines median is $20,770 below the U.S. median of $79,870.
Compare metro areas across the state on the Iowa aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.
Local Employers
Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Des Moines
BLS counts 130 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Des Moines metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.37.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
Elliott Aviation
MRO facility on the north side of Des Moines International Airport (KDSM), Des Moines, IA
Elliott Aviation runs an FAA Part 145 repair station at Des Moines International Airport performing scheduled and heavy maintenance, avionics upgrades, and structural repairs on business aircraft.
Source: Elliott Aviation Des Moines location (elliottaviation.com)
Military Depot
132nd Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
Des Moines Air National Guard Base, co-located at Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines, IA
The 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard is based at Des Moines Air National Guard Base and maintains MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft, employing aircraft maintenance personnel through its maintenance organization.
Source: 132nd Wing - Wikipedia (Wikipedia)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Des Moines International (DSM) recorded 1,555,454 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International | DSM | Small hub | 1,555,454 | 366,861,050 |
Local Context
Two Very Different Employers Share One Airport
Elliott Aviation runs a repair station on the north side of Des Moines International Airport, performing scheduled and heavy maintenance, avionics upgrades, and structural repairs on business aircraft. An Iowa Air National Guard maintenance unit shares the same airport, maintaining Reaper unmanned aircraft for its wing.
Job Concentration Below the National Average
Aircraft mechanic employment in Des Moines runs at 0.37 times the national concentration, lighter than in metros built around a major airline hub or manufacturer. Local aircraft mechanics and service technicians still earn a median $59,100 a year in the roles that exist here.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Des Moines: Common Questions
What Schools Near Des Moines Train Aircraft Mechanics?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Des Moines?
Who Are the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employers in Des Moines?
How Far Is Aviation Maintenance Training From Des Moines?
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)
- Commercial Service Airports, CY2024 Enplanements
- Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- Elliott Aviation: Elliott Aviation Des Moines location
- 132nd Wing, Iowa Air National Guard: 132nd Wing - Wikipedia
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.