Grand Rapids at a Glance
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Grand Rapids
4
Within 100 mi, FAA 2026
Top Score Nearby
42.0
Andrews University
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Grand Rapids Metro
110
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$75,550
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
0.22
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 24340).
Gerald R. Ford International hosts a full-service repair station run by Signature TECHNICAir, covering engine overhaul, major and minor checks and avionics installations. Aircraft mechanic employment here runs light relative to the metro's size, at 0.22 times the national concentration, and local median pay for the occupation is $75,550 a year.
Four training paths sit within reach. School of Missionary Aviation Technology is 29.2 miles away in Ionia, Western Michigan University's College of Aviation is 49.4 miles off in Battle Creek, Lansing Community College is 66.5 miles away in Mason, and Andrews University adds a fourth option 78.6 miles out.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Grand Rapids
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Grand Rapids, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Grand Rapids
Highest overall score of the 4 ranked schools, 42.0 out of 100.
Most Affordable Near Grand Rapids
Lowest comparable program cost of the 3 ranked schools with one: $14,400, from IPEDS in-state tuition and the published length.
Grand Rapids Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Grand Rapids
The ranked aviation maintenance schools within 100 miles of Grand Rapids, ordered by score. 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 Grand Rapids.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Grand Rapids
#1
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan 79 miles from Grand Rapids #122 nationally
42.0 of 100
This program fits students who want a two-year, four-semester path to both airframe and powerplant ratings at a university that also offers a bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance, without requiring an FAA medical certificate.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- FAA Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Technician Certificate (Airframe & Powerplant)
- Length
- four semesters (two school years) for both ratings
- Cost
- $25,480, total program (non-credit certificate rate)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- Fall semester for freshmen; flexible for community/certificate students
-
#2
Western Michigan University
Battle Creek, Michigan 49 miles from Grand Rapids #157 nationally
39.7 of 100
This program fits students who want a bachelor's degree pairing FAA airframe and powerplant coursework with broader aviation technical operations training at a university campus in Battle Creek, Michigan.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- Bachelor of Science
-
- Most Affordable Near Grand Rapids
#3
Lansing Community College
Mason, Michigan 67 miles from Grand Rapids #181 nationally
35.1 of 100
This program fits Michigan students who want a 24-month path to full AMT certification with an established Delta Air Lines partnership, training just south of Lansing in Mason.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Airframe Maintenance Technology AAS/CA; Powerplant Maintenance Technology AAS/CA; plus 1 more
- Length
- 24 months for full AMT certification
- Starts
- Next Cohort Begins August 26, 2027
-
#4
School of Missionary Aviation Technology
Ionia, Michigan 29 miles from Grand Rapids #199 nationally
30.2 of 100
The School of Missionary Aviation Technology fits students seeking a faith-based, 12-month aviation maintenance program with a hands-on, lab-heavy schedule at Ionia County Airport in Michigan.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- FAA Part 147 approved A&P certification
- Length
- 12 months
- Cost
- $32,000, total program
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrews University | 42.0 | † | 4.8 | 8 | 10 | † |
| 2 | WMU | 39.7 | † | † | 8 | 0 | † |
| 3 | Lansing Community College | 35.1 | 2.1 | 8.6 | 14 | 5 | 5.4 |
| 4 | SMAT | 30.2 | † | 3 | 8 | 0 | † |
See the full best aviation maintenance schools in Michigan ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Grand Rapids
Aircraft mechanics in the Grand Rapids metro area earn a median of $75,550 a year ($36.32 an hour), $650 above the Michigan median of $74,900.
Grand Rapids Pay vs. Michigan and U.S. Medians
The Grand Rapids median is $4,320 below the U.S. median of $79,870.
Compare metro areas across the state on the Michigan aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.
Local Employers
Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Grand Rapids
BLS counts 110 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Grand Rapids metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.22.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
Signature TECHNICAir
Repair station at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Signature TECHNICAir operates a full-service FAA Part 145 repair station at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids offering engine overhaul and replacement, major and minor checks, and avionics installations.
Source: Aircraft Maintenance in Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) | Signature TECHNICAir (technicair.com)
Business Aviation
Pentastar Aviation / Avflight
FBO and aircraft maintenance support at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Pentastar Aviation and Avflight jointly operate an FBO at Gerald R. Ford International Airport providing private jet charter, management, and aircraft maintenance support.
Source: Pentastar Aviation and Avflight Team Up to Provide Private Jet Charter (pentastaraviation.com)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Gerald R Ford International (GRR) recorded 2,065,053 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald R Ford International | GRR | Small hub | 2,065,053 | 204,807,750 |
| Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International | AZO | Nonhub | 92,510 | |
| Muskegon County | MKG | 2,729 |
Local Context
A Delta Air Lines Partner Program Nearby
Lansing Community College, 66.5 miles from Grand Rapids in Mason, is one of Delta Air Lines' partner AMT programs nationwide. Students train at the college's Aviation Technology Center and often field multiple job offers before finishing the program, according to the school.
It sits alongside three other options in the metro's reach: School of Missionary Aviation Technology in Ionia, Western Michigan University's College of Aviation in Battle Creek, and Andrews University in Berrien Springs.
A Repair Station at Gerald R. Ford International
Signature TECHNICAir operates a full-service FAA-certified repair station at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, offering engine overhaul and replacement, major and minor checks, and avionics installations. Pentastar Aviation and Avflight jointly run an FBO at the same airport that adds aircraft maintenance support on top of charter and management services.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Grand Rapids: Common Questions
What Schools Train Aircraft Mechanics Near Grand Rapids?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Grand Rapids?
What Is the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employer in Grand Rapids?
How Far Is the Commute to Aircraft Mechanic Training From Grand Rapids?
Does Work at a Local Repair Station Count Toward FAA Mechanic 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)
- Signature TECHNICAir: Aircraft Maintenance in Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) | Signature TECHNICAir
- Pentastar Aviation / Avflight: Pentastar Aviation and Avflight Team Up to Provide Private Jet Charter
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.