Difference From U.S. Median
+$1,170
Median Hourly Wage
$38.96
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
4,670
Median Pay Rank Among States
20th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
Tennessee's pay distribution for aircraft mechanics and service technicians stretches further than most states: the top 10% of earners take home $167,410 a year, well above the $128,890 mark for the top 10% nationally. The aircraft mechanic salary in Tennessee sits at a median of $81,040 a year, or $38.96 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025, a bit ahead of the $79,870 U.S. median.
Much of that reach comes from Memphis, where FedEx Express runs its World Hub at Memphis International Airport, a cargo operation sorting 484,000 shipments an hour across 250 daily flights. Memphis also carries the state's highest concentration of the job, a location quotient of 3.94 across 2,140 mechanics, and a metro median of $92,180.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Tennessee by Percentile
| Percentile | Tennessee | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,900 | $48,780 | +$4,120 |
| 25th percentile | $60,420 | $62,630 | -$2,210 |
| Median (50th) | $81,040 | $79,870 | +$1,170 |
| 75th percentile | $95,140 | $99,130 | -$3,990 |
| 90th percentile | $167,410 | $128,890 | +$38,520 |
| Mean (average) | $90,060 | $84,740 | +$5,320 |
Rank among states: 20th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Tennessee by Metro Area
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Tennessee
| Occupation | Employed | Tennessee Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 4,670 | $81,040 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 480 | $60,820 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 420 | $78,430 | $92,100 |
| Aircraft structure and systems assemblers | 130 | $66,390 | $65,380 |
Tennessee Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 6,190 | 6,840 | +10.5% | 560 |
| Avionics technicians | 260 | 310 | +17% | 20 |
Tennessee's Widest Pay Spread
Pay for aircraft mechanics and service technicians spreads wide across Tennessee's distribution. The bottom 10% earns $52,900 a year, while the top 10% reaches $167,410, well past the $128,890 mark for the nation's top earners. That $167,410 figure ranks among the highest ninetieth-percentile numbers of any state, driven largely by Memphis's cargo and airline maintenance work.
FedEx and Aircraft Mechanic Jobs in Memphis
FedEx Express operates its World Hub, or SuperHub, at Memphis International Airport, sorting 484,000 shipments an hour and serving 250 daily flights, alongside aircraft maintenance hangars on-site. The Memphis metro carries the state's highest concentration of the job, a location quotient of 3.94 across 2,140 mechanics, and its $92,180 median outpaces Nashville's $68,080 and Knoxville's $67,300 by a wide margin.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Tennessee vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Tennessee
FAA-approved schools in Tennessee: 8. Compare Tennessee programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in Tennessee?
How High Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay Go in Tennessee?
What Air-Cargo Employer Hires Mechanics in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee Metro Pays Aircraft Mechanics the Most?
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 .