Buffalo at a Glance
Nearest FAA-Approved School
146 mi
FAA, 2026
Top Score Nearby
40.8
PIA Youngstown
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Buffalo Metro
80
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$80,040
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
0.16
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 15380).
Two major aerospace manufacturers call Buffalo home: Moog, headquartered in Elma, designs flight control systems for aerospace applications, and Astronics, headquartered in East Aurora, builds aircraft electrical power and cabin lighting systems. Haven Aviation Services Group runs an FAA-certified repair station at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Local aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median $80,040 a year.
Training is a longer drive here. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics' Youngstown campus, the nearest FAA-approved program, sits 145.9 miles away in Vienna, Ohio. Pennsylvania College of Technology is 151 miles out, and Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is 162.3 miles from Buffalo.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Buffalo
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Buffalo, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Buffalo
Most Affordable Near Buffalo
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Youngstown Campus
Highest overall score of the 3 ranked schools, 40.8 out of 100.
Lowest comparable program cost of the 3 ranked schools with one: $31,200, published by the school.
Buffalo Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Buffalo
The ranked aviation maintenance schools closest to Buffalo, ordered by score, plus the nearest ranked schools out to 176 miles so the list has at least 3. High school programs nearby 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 Buffalo.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Buffalo
- Most Affordable Near Buffalo
#1
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Youngstown Campus
Vienna, Ohio 146 miles from Buffalo #140 nationally
40.8 of 100
This program suits students who want a 16-month diploma covering both airframe and powerplant ratings with hands-on shop training at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, Ohio.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Diploma
- Length
- 16 months, diploma/certificate (4 semesters, 65 credits for students starting after July 1, 2026)
- Cost
- $31,200, total program for students starting after July 1, 2026 (4 semesters, 65 credits)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- Fall 2026 (Sept. 1); Spring 2027 (Jan. 5); Summer 2027 (May 4)
-
#2
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Montoursville, Pennsylvania 151 miles from Buffalo #170 nationally
37.5 of 100
This program fits someone who wants a full four-year bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance, complete with hands-on time at an FAA Approved Repair Station, rather than a shorter certificate or associate track.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- Bachelor of Science
- Length
- 8 semesters, 50 courses, 131.5 credits
-
#3
Saint Francis University
Johnstown, Pennsylvania 176 miles from Buffalo #185 nationally
32.5 of 100
This program suits students who want hands-on training on a SkyWest-donated regional jet and pathway access to SkyWest's pilot and mechanic programs, in a five-semester certificate at Johnstown Airport in Pennsylvania.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- Certificate (General, Airframe, and Powerplant)
- Length
- less than 21 months (5 semesters), full-time
- Cost
- $55,415, total program, 5 semesters (2026-27 rates)
- GI Bill
- Approved
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIA Youngstown | 40.8 | † | 3.6 | 8 | 10 | † |
| 2 | Penn College | 37.5 | 24.8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4.7 |
| 3 | Saint Francis University | 32.5 | † | 0.3 | 8 | 5 | † |
High School Pathways
High School Aviation Maintenance Programs Near Buffalo
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 New York ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Buffalo
Aircraft mechanics in the Buffalo metro area earn a median of $80,040 a year ($38.48 an hour), $22,760 below the New York median of $102,800.
Buffalo Pay vs. New York and U.S. Medians
The Buffalo median is $170 above the U.S. median of $79,870.
Compare metro areas across the state on the New York aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.
Local Employers
Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Buffalo
BLS counts 80 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Buffalo metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.16.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Manufacturer
Moog Inc.
Worldwide headquarters and Aircraft Group plants in Elma, NY
Moog is headquartered in Elma, NY, in the Buffalo metro area, and designs and manufactures electric, electro-hydraulic and hydraulic motion and flight control systems for aerospace applications.
C. 13,500 employees company-wide (2025)
Source: Moog Inc. - Wikipedia (Wikipedia)
Manufacturer
Astronics Corporation
Worldwide headquarters at 130 Commerce Way, East Aurora, NY
Astronics is headquartered in East Aurora, NY, in the Buffalo metro area, and manufactures aircraft electrical power systems, cabin lighting, and inflight entertainment hardware for commercial, military, and business aircraft.
Approximately 2,700 employees; $862 million revenue in 2025
Source: Astronics Worldwide Headquarters (astronics.com)
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
Haven Aviation Services Group (Haven MRO)
FAA Part 145 repair station at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (KBUF)
Haven operates an FAA-certified repair station at Buffalo Niagara International Airport performing airframe inspections, avionics upgrades, and engine program support on business jets and turboprops.
Source: Haven ASG - Buffalo MRO (havenasg.com)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) recorded 2,499,295 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Niagara International | BUF | Medium hub | 2,499,295 | 284,563,141 |
| Niagara Falls International | IAG | Nonhub | 59,119 | 19,053,482 |
Local Context
Two Aerospace Manufacturers Headquartered in Buffalo
Moog is headquartered in Elma, within the Buffalo metro, designing electric, electro-hydraulic and hydraulic motion and flight control systems for aerospace use. Astronics is headquartered in East Aurora, in the same metro, manufacturing aircraft electrical power systems, cabin lighting, and inflight entertainment hardware for commercial, military, and business aircraft.
An FAA Repair Station at Buffalo Niagara International
Haven performs airframe inspections, avionics upgrades, and engine program support there on business jets and turboprops. It's the metro's clearest maintenance-focused employer alongside the manufacturing base in Elma and East Aurora.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Buffalo: Common Questions
What Are the Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Buffalo?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Buffalo?
Who Are the Largest Aviation Employers in Buffalo?
How Far Is Training From Where Mechanics Work in Buffalo?
Do Hours 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)
- Moog Inc.: Moog Inc. - Wikipedia
- Astronics Corporation: Astronics Worldwide Headquarters
- Haven Aviation Services Group (Haven MRO): Haven ASG - Buffalo MRO
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.