Syracuse at a Glance
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Syracuse
1
Within 100 mi, FAA 2026
Top Score Nearby
50.7
Johnson College
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Syracuse Metro
50
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$75,360
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
0.20
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 45060).
Syracuse's aviation maintenance work centers on two different operations. STS Line Maintenance runs a line station at Syracuse Hancock International handling turnaround checks and AOG response for commercial aircraft, while the Air National Guard's Attack Wing at Hancock Field runs the Air Force's only MQ-9 Reaper maintenance field training detachment. Local mechanics earn a median $75,360 a year, below the $79,870 U.S. median, at a 0.2 location quotient.
One training option remains within reach. Mohawk Valley Community College, 39.3 miles away in Rome, runs a three-semester Airframe and Powerplant program on the flight line of Griffiss International Airport, using a fleet that includes a Boeing jet and business aircraft. The college has stopped taking new applications for the program and expects to wind it down by 2027, while students already enrolled finish their certificates.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Syracuse
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Syracuse, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Syracuse
Highest overall score of the 3 ranked schools, 50.7 out of 100.
Syracuse Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Syracuse
The nearest ranked schools to Syracuse, out to 130 miles, 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 Syracuse.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Syracuse
#1
Johnson College
Avoca, Pennsylvania 120 miles from Syracuse #63 nationally
50.7 of 100
This program fits students near Allentown-Bethlehem who want a private, four-term Aviation Technology associate degree that targets FAA licensure exams within 60 days of graduation.
- Type
- Technical College
- Credentials
- Associate of Applied Science
- Length
- 72 credits across four terms (approximately 2 years full-time)
- GI Bill
- Approved
-
#2
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Montoursville, Pennsylvania 130 miles from Syracuse #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
Hudson Valley Community College
Albany, New York 123 miles from Syracuse #173 nationally
36.7 of 100
This program fits students near Albany, New York who want a 12-month Aviation Maintenance Technician certification, trained on Air Force jet aircraft donated to the school.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Certification
- Length
- 12-month program with extensive hands-on instruction and training
- Starts
- Monday, Jan. 11 (January 2027 cohort); Monday, June 28 (June 2027 cohort)
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson College | 50.7 | † | † | 14 | 5 | † |
| 2 | Penn College | 37.5 | 24.8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4.7 |
| 3 | Hudson Valley Community College | 36.7 | † | † | 0 | 5 | † |
Mohawk Valley Community College is left out because the school says the program is closing to new students.
See the full best aviation maintenance schools in New York ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Syracuse
Aircraft mechanics in the Syracuse metro area earn a median of $75,360 a year ($36.23 an hour), $27,440 below the New York median of $102,800.
Syracuse Pay vs. New York and U.S. Medians
The Syracuse median is $4,510 below 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 Syracuse
BLS counts 50 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Syracuse metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.20.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
STS Line Maintenance
Line maintenance station at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
STS Line Maintenance operates a line maintenance station at Syracuse Hancock International Airport handling turnaround checks and AOG response for commercial aircraft.
Source: STS Line Maintenance Opens New Station at SYR Airport in Syracuse, New York (stsaviationgroup.com)
Military Depot
174th Attack Wing (New York Air National Guard)
Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse
The 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base runs the Air Force's only MQ-9 Reaper maintenance field training detachment and employs civilian Air Reserve Technicians alongside military maintainers.
Source: 174th Attack Wing - Unit information (dmna.ny.gov)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Syracuse Hancock International (SYR) recorded 1,486,554 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse Hancock International | SYR | Small hub | 1,486,554 | 346,747,100 |
| Ithaca Tompkins International | ITH | Nonhub | 69,613 |
Local Context
The Air National Guard's Reaper Depot
Hancock Field Air National Guard Base is home to the Attack Wing that runs the Air Force's only MQ-9 Reaper maintenance field training detachment, staffed by both military maintainers and civilian Air Reserve Technicians. STS Line Maintenance works a different side of the same field, handling turnaround checks and AOG response for the airport's commercial traffic.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Syracuse: Common Questions
What Are the Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Syracuse?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Syracuse?
Who Are the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employers in Syracuse?
How Far Is Training From Where Mechanics Work?
Do Hours Working 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)
- STS Line Maintenance: STS Line Maintenance Opens New Station at SYR Airport in Syracuse, New York
- 174th Attack Wing (New York Air National Guard): 174th Attack Wing - Unit information
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.