Difference From U.S. Median
-$4,990
Median Hourly Wage
$36.00
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,360
Median Pay Rank Among States
35th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
The aircraft mechanic salary in Mississippi is $74,880 a year, or $36 an hour, below the national median of $79,870, a gap BLS OEWS pay data for May 2025 puts at $4,990. That ranks the state 35th of 50. The largest identified employer isn't an airline: the 172nd Airlift Wing, a Mississippi Air National Guard unit, maintains fighter aircraft at Allen C. Thompson Field in Jackson.
Most Mississippi mechanics earn between $47,650 and $88,340 a year, the pay distribution BLS reports for the state; nationally, that band runs from $48,780 to $128,890. Three of four bordering states pay more: Alabama's median is $82,260, Tennessee's $81,040, and Louisiana's $79,780, while Arkansas trails at $65,420.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Mississippi by Percentile
| Percentile | Mississippi | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,650 | $48,780 | -$1,130 |
| 25th percentile | $60,010 | $62,630 | -$2,620 |
| Median (50th) | $74,880 | $79,870 | -$4,990 |
| 75th percentile | $84,370 | $99,130 | -$14,760 |
| 90th percentile | $88,340 | $128,890 | -$40,550 |
| Mean (average) | $71,030 | $84,740 | -$13,710 |
Rank among states: 35th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Mississippi by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 2,140 | $92,180 | $44.32 | 3.94 |
| Jackson | 200 | $67,750 | $32.57 | 0.82 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Mississippi
| Occupation | Employed | Mississippi Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,360 | $74,880 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 160 | $65,830 | $82,280 |
Mississippi Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,640 | 1,780 | +8.7% | 140 |
| Avionics technicians | 180 | 210 | +17% | 20 |
A Military Depot Anchors Local Demand
Mississippi's employer base for aircraft maintenance centers on national defense rather than commercial aviation. The 172nd Airlift Wing, part of the Mississippi Air National Guard, maintains fighter aircraft at Allen C. Thompson Field in Jackson.
With 1,360 aircraft mechanics statewide (1% of the U.S. total, 30th of 50 states by employment), Mississippi's workforce is projected by Projections Central to grow from 1,640 to 1,780 jobs by 2034, with roughly 140 openings a year.
How Mississippi Compares With Its Neighbors
Mississippi's $74,880 median trails three of its four land border states. Alabama pays a median of $82,260, Tennessee $81,040, and Louisiana $79,780, each ahead of Mississippi by $4,900 to $7,380 a year. Only Arkansas pays less, at $65,420, putting Mississippi $9,460 ahead of its western neighbor.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Mississippi vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Mississippi
FAA-approved schools in Mississippi: 3. Compare Mississippi programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Mississippi?
What Is the Biggest Aircraft Maintenance Employer in Mississippi?
How Does Mississippi's Pay Compare With Neighboring States?
How Many Aircraft Mechanics Work in Mississippi?
What Do the Lowest-Paid Mississippi Aircraft Mechanics Earn?
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 .