Difference From U.S. Median
-$16,470
Median Hourly Wage
$30.48
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,500
Median Pay Rank Among States
47th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
Every bordering state with BLS wage data out-earns Indiana's aircraft mechanics: Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky all pay more. The aircraft mechanic salary in Indiana is $63,400 a year, or $30.48 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025, $16,470 below the national median of $79,870, or $38.40 an hour.
The gap with Illinois runs widest, $18,280, while Kentucky comes closest, $4,520 above Indiana. Two named employers anchor aviation maintenance work in Indianapolis: Rolls-Royce, with about 3,500 people at its engine campus, and FedEx Express, which runs maintenance hangars at the airport.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Indiana by Percentile
| Percentile | Indiana | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,980 | $48,780 | -$11,800 |
| 25th percentile | $50,810 | $62,630 | -$11,820 |
| Median (50th) | $63,400 | $79,870 | -$16,470 |
| 75th percentile | $77,670 | $99,130 | -$21,460 |
| 90th percentile | $90,060 | $128,890 | -$38,830 |
| Mean (average) | $66,000 | $84,740 | -$18,740 |
Rank among states: 47th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Indiana by Metro Area
| Hourly Median | Location Quotient | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 2,090 | $100,610 | $48.37 | 0.52 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,370 | $85,410 | $41.06 | 1.40 |
| Indianapolis | 840 | $63,280 | $30.42 | 0.86 |
| Louisville, KY | 470 | $76,800 | $36.92 | 0.77 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Indiana
| Occupation | Employed | Indiana Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,500 | $63,400 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 60 | $76,770 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 250 | $80,330 | $92,100 |
| Aerospace engineering and operations technicians | 480 | $62,520 | $82,890 |
Indiana Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,320 | 1,400 | +5.5% | 110 |
| Avionics technicians | 90 | 100 | +6.5% | 10 |
Indiana Trails Every Bordering State
Indiana's $63,400 median trails all four of its neighbors with BLS data: Illinois pays $81,680, Ohio $80,570, Michigan $74,900, and Kentucky $67,920. The gap runs from $4,520 with Kentucky up to $18,280 with Illinois.
Rolls-Royce and FedEx Anchor Indianapolis
Rolls-Royce runs a defense engine manufacturing and testing campus in Indianapolis with roughly 3,500 employees, while FedEx Express operates aircraft maintenance hangars at Indianapolis International Airport. Indianapolis itself pays a $63,280 median, close to the statewide figure, with a location quotient of 0.86.
A Wide Range at the Bottom
Aircraft mechanics at the tenth percentile in Indiana earn just $36,980 a year, well under the national tenth percentile of $48,780. The top tenth reaches $90,060, a wide spread between the state's lowest and highest paid mechanics.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Indiana vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Indiana
FAA-approved schools in Indiana: 4. Compare Indiana programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Indiana?
How Does Indiana's Pay Compare With Its Neighbors?
What Aviation Employers Are Based in Indianapolis?
What Is the Pay Range for Aircraft Mechanics in Indiana?
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 .