Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Schools in Kansas
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Kansas
2
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Ranked in This State
2
Methodology 2.1
Top Score in the State
72.2
K-State Salina
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$80,270
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,440
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Wichita's aircraft mechanics work at a location quotient of 2.12, more than double the national concentration for the occupation, in a state with just 2 FAA Part 147 schools.
WSU Tech in Wichita teaches a full Airframe and Powerplant Associate of Applied Science in 18 months, plus standalone Airframe, Powerplant, and General technical certificates. Kansas State University Salina, also public, offers both an associate and a bachelor's degree, each building toward eligibility for the FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, known as the A&P.
Aircraft mechanics in Kansas earn a median of $80,270 a year, just above the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 22nd among 50 states for that pay. Growth is projected at 9.2% through 2034, above the national rate of 4%, adding about 120 positions.
Kansas Ranking
Top-Ranked Aircraft Mechanic Schools in Kansas
The 2 ranked aviation maintenance schools in Kansas, best score first. Each card shows the school's verified facts and the points it earned on each factor. Scores are national, out of 100, so a school scores the same here as on the national ranking.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
#1
Kansas State University Salina
Salina, Kansas #4 nationally
72.2 of 100
This public university program fits students who want both an associate and a bachelor's degree route to eligibility for the FAA mechanic certificate, with in-state tuition near $10,243 and hands-on hangar training in Salina, Kansas.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- Associate degree and Bachelor's degree, with FAA A&P certification eligibility
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Avionics
- Avionics electronics technology certificate (NCATT certified)
-
#2
WSU Tech
Wichita, Kansas #35 nationally
57.4 of 100
This program fits Kansas students who want an 18-month combined aviation maintenance associate degree or a shorter technical certificate, training at the National Center for Aviation Training since the nearest alternative campus sits 75 miles away.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology (Airframe & Powerplant); Technical Certificate, Aviation Maintenance Airframe; plus 4 more
- Length
- 18 months
- GI Bill
- Approved
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K-State Salina | 72.2 | 30 | † | 20 | 5 | 4.7 |
| 2 | WSU Tech | 57.4 | 20.2 | 10.7 | 14 | 5 | 7.5 |
By Metro Area
Aviation Maintenance School Rankings by Kansas Metro Area
Each metro ranking scores every school within commuting range and adds the local airports, employers, and BLS pay for aircraft mechanics.
| Metro Ranking | Schools Within 100 mi | Top-Ranked School | Median Pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation maintenance schools near Wichita | 2 | K-State Salina | $65,640 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Kansas
BLS reports a median annual wage of $80,270 ($38.59 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Kansas, where 1,440 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 22nd of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 1,320 in 2024 to 1,440 in 2034 (+9.2%), with about 120 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in Kansas
See the full Kansas aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Wichita Concentrates Kansas's Aviation Training and Jobs
Wichita's location quotient of 2.12 for aircraft mechanics means the metro employs the occupation at more than double the national rate, and WSU Tech trains right inside that market. Kansas State University Salina, the state's other school, sits farther north.
Wichita's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $65,640 a year, below the $80,270 statewide figure, in a metro of 661,217 people. A concentrated job market doesn't always mean the highest pay.
Two Schools, Two Different Credentials
WSU Tech in Wichita builds toward an Associate of Applied Science or standalone technical certificates. Kansas State University Salina adds a bachelor's degree to that mix, giving Kansas students a four-year option the state's other school doesn't offer.
Methodology
How We Rank Aviation Maintenance Schools in Kansas
Every open FAA-approved college-level school gets one national score out of 100: Outcomes 30 (IPEDS graduation rate), Cost 25 (comparable whole-program price), Program Depth 20, Access 15, and Scale 10 (IPEDS awards a year). This page orders the schools in Kansas by that score, so the ranks here match the national list of 204 ranked schools.
The full rules, including how a missing figure is scored at the peer median, are on our ranking methodology page.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in Kansas
The FAA issues the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, known as the A&P, under federal rules in 14 CFR Part 65, so the path is the same in every state. You qualify by graduating from an FAA-approved school or by documenting at least 30 months of hands-on work for both ratings, then passing three FAA knowledge tests and an oral and practical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many FAA Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Schools Are in Kansas?
Can You Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Maintenance in Kansas?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in Kansas Compare to the National Median?
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in Kansas?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Kansas?
What Aircraft Mechanic Credentials Can You Earn in Kansas?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- IPEDS via Hapi, CIP 47.0607-47.0609 (all levels) + 49.0104 (bachelor's/master's)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- eCFR 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D (Mechanics)
- FAA - Become an Aviation Mechanic
- FAA - Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
All sources retrieved .
How we source and check each listing is explained on our data methodology page.