Difference From U.S. Median
+$1,810
Median Hourly Wage
$39.27
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
3,370
Median Pay Rank Among States
19th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
The aircraft mechanic salary in Illinois is $81,680 a year, or $39.27 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025, $1,810 above the national median of $79,870, or $38.40 an hour.
That median also outpaces every state Illinois borders. Wisconsin's median comes in at $73,930, Missouri's at $71,470, Iowa's at $69,890, Kentucky's at $67,920, and Indiana's at $63,400, a gap reaching $18,280.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Illinois by Percentile
| Percentile | Illinois | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,460 | $48,780 | -$2,320 |
| 25th percentile | $57,720 | $62,630 | -$4,910 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $79,870 | +$1,810 |
| 75th percentile | $126,500 | $99,130 | +$27,370 |
| 90th percentile | $130,950 | $128,890 | +$2,060 |
| Mean (average) | $88,650 | $84,740 | +$3,910 |
Rank among states: 19th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Illinois by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,090 | $100,610 | $48.37 | 0.52 |
| St. Louis, MO | 890 | $77,600 | $37.31 | 0.75 |
| Rockford | 580 | 4.78 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Illinois
| Occupation | Employed | Illinois Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 3,370 | $81,680 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 300 | $81,170 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 1,130 | $47,990 | $92,100 |
Illinois Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 3,780 | 3,980 | +5.4% | 310 |
| Avionics technicians | 340 | 360 | +4.7% | 30 |
Illinois Leads Every Bordering State
Illinois's $81,680 median outpaces every state it borders: Wisconsin pays $73,930, Missouri $71,470, Iowa $69,890, Kentucky $67,920, and Indiana $63,400. The gap runs from $7,750 with Wisconsin up to $18,280 with Indiana.
Chicago's Premium and Rockford's Concentration
Chicago pays a $100,610 metro median, $18,930 above the statewide figure, and is home to American Airlines' Hangar 2 maintenance complex at O'Hare International Airport. Rockford, by contrast, carries the state's tightest job concentration, a location quotient of 4.78 across 580 positions, anchored by AAR Corp's Rockford repair facility.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Illinois vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Illinois
FAA-approved schools in Illinois: 6. Compare Illinois programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Illinois?
How Does Illinois Compare With Its Bordering States?
Which Illinois Metro Pays Aircraft Mechanics the Most?
Where Is Aircraft Mechanic Work Most Concentrated in Illinois?
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 .