Difference From U.S. Median
-$11,950
Median Hourly Wage
$32.65
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,680
Median Pay Rank Among States
42nd of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
The aircraft mechanic salary in Kentucky is anchored by an unusually wide top end: workers in the 90th percentile earn $156,910 a year, well past the $128,890 national mark for the same BLS OEWS May 2025 release. Statewide, the median for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $67,920 a year, or $32.65 an hour, below the $79,870 national median.
UPS Airlines built a new aircraft maintenance hangar at its Worldport hub, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, investing $220 million in the facility. Louisville's metro median for the occupation runs $76,800 a year, above the statewide figure and reflecting the concentration of maintenance work around that hub.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Kentucky by Percentile
| Percentile | Kentucky | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,210 | $48,780 | -$3,570 |
| 25th percentile | $61,420 | $62,630 | -$1,210 |
| Median (50th) | $67,920 | $79,870 | -$11,950 |
| 75th percentile | $94,920 | $99,130 | -$4,210 |
| 90th percentile | $156,910 | $128,890 | +$28,020 |
| Mean (average) | $81,330 | $84,740 | -$3,410 |
Rank among states: 42nd of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Kentucky by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,370 | $85,410 | $41.06 | 1.40 |
| Louisville | 470 | $76,800 | $36.92 | 0.77 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Kentucky
| Occupation | Employed | Kentucky Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,680 | $67,920 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | $42,440 | $82,280 | |
| Transportation inspectors | 260 | $83,970 | $92,100 |
Kentucky Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 3,420 | 3,610 | +5.4% | 280 |
| Avionics technicians | 80 | 90 | +5.9% | 10 |
A Wide Top End for Kentucky Pay
Kentucky's 90th-percentile wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $156,910 a year, well past the $128,890 mark nationally for the same occupation. That contrasts with a statewide median of $67,920 a year, or $32.65 an hour, meaning pay spreads unusually wide across the distribution in Kentucky. The 10th-percentile wage sits at $45,210 a year, below the $48,780 national figure.
UPS Airlines Anchors Maintenance Work in Louisville
UPS Airlines built a new aircraft maintenance hangar at its Worldport hub, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, a $220 million investment. The Louisville metro posts a median wage of $76,800 a year for aircraft mechanics and service technicians, above the $67,920 statewide median for the occupation.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Kentucky vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Kentucky
FAA-approved schools in Kentucky: 4. Compare Kentucky programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in Kentucky?
How High Can Aircraft Mechanic Pay Go in Kentucky?
What Did UPS Airlines Invest in Louisville Aircraft Maintenance?
Does Louisville Pay More Than the Kentucky Average for This Work?
What Is the Hourly Pay for Aircraft Mechanics in Kentucky?
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 .