Difference From U.S. Median
+$6,230
Median Hourly Wage
$41.40
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
12,590
Median Pay Rank Among States
10th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
California employs more aircraft mechanics than almost any other state, 12,590 in all, 9.1% of the U.S. total and the 3rd-highest headcount. The aircraft mechanic salary in California runs to a median of $86,100 a year, or $41.40 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025, above the $79,870 national median.
Pay varies widely by metro. San Jose leads at $98,760 a year, followed by San Francisco-Oakland at $93,400 and Bakersfield at $91,750. Fresno trails at $71,240, the lowest of California's ten tracked metros.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in California by Percentile
| Percentile | California | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,860 | $48,780 | +$5,080 |
| 25th percentile | $68,390 | $62,630 | +$5,760 |
| Median (50th) | $86,100 | $79,870 | +$6,230 |
| 75th percentile | $99,650 | $99,130 | +$520 |
| 90th percentile | $116,690 | $128,890 | -$12,200 |
| Mean (average) | $86,110 | $84,740 | +$1,370 |
Rank among states: 10th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in California by Metro Area
| Hourly Median | Location Quotient | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 5,020 | $83,250 | $40.03 | 0.90 |
| San Diego | 1,720 | $87,560 | $42.10 | 1.26 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino | 1,120 | $81,440 | $39.15 | 0.74 |
| San Francisco-Oakland | 940 | $93,400 | $44.90 | 0.45 |
| Bakersfield | 710 | $91,750 | $44.11 | 2.37 |
| Sacramento | 510 | $82,420 | $39.63 | 0.54 |
| Fresno | 320 | $71,240 | $34.25 | 0.76 |
| San Jose | 260 | $98,760 | $47.48 | 0.26 |
| Oxnard-Ventura | 210 | $79,590 | $38.27 | 0.74 |
| Stockton | 120 | $75,250 | $36.18 | 0.48 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in California
| Occupation | Employed | California Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 12,590 | $86,100 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 1,220 | $92,480 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 1,790 | $83,000 | $92,100 |
| Aerospace engineering and operations technicians | 1,560 | $99,000 | $82,890 |
| Aircraft structure and systems assemblers | 2,930 | $63,640 | $65,380 |
California Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 12,500 | 14,100 | +12.8% | 1,160 |
| Avionics technicians | 1,200 | 1,300 | +8.3% | 110 |
Aircraft Mechanic Pay Across California's Metros
San Jose pays aircraft mechanics the most among California metros, a median of $98,760 a year. San Francisco-Oakland follows at $93,400, and Bakersfield at $91,750. Los Angeles, the state's largest mechanic market at 5,020 jobs, pays a median of $83,250. Fresno pays the least, at $71,240 a year.
Training Cost vs. Aircraft Mechanic Pay
California has 20 FAA Part 147 schools, more than any other state, though only 4 publish a whole-program price. Mt. San Antonio College's in-state A.S. degree, 60 units, costs $2,760, about 0.4 months of California's $86,100 median wage. Reedley College charges the most among schools with published prices, $9,617 for its full program.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in California vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in California
FAA-approved schools in California: 20. Compare California programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in California?
Which California Metro Pays Aircraft Mechanics the Most?
How Many FAA Aircraft Mechanic Schools Does California Have?
How Much Does Aircraft Mechanic School Cost in California?
How Does California Rank Nationally for Aircraft Mechanic Employment?
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: national, state, metropolitan area, and industry estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
All sources retrieved .