Difference From U.S. Median
-$34,400
Median Hourly Wage
$21.86
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
590
Median Pay Rank Among States
50th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
West Virginia's aircraft mechanics earn a median wage of $45,470 a year, the lowest among all 50 states, according to BLS OEWS data for May 2025. The aircraft mechanic salary in West Virginia trails the national median of $79,870 by $34,400, the widest state gap in the country.
Statewide pay runs from $35,220 at the 10th percentile to $78,710 at the 90th, with the middle half earning between $35,370 and $70,950, across a workforce of 590 mechanics. Even from that low base, Projections Central expects jobs to grow 21.6% through 2034, more than five times the 4% national rate, with about 60 openings a year.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in West Virginia by Percentile
| Percentile | West Virginia | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,220 | $48,780 | -$13,560 |
| 25th percentile | $35,370 | $62,630 | -$27,260 |
| Median (50th) | $45,470 | $79,870 | -$34,400 |
| 75th percentile | $70,950 | $99,130 | -$28,180 |
| 90th percentile | $78,710 | $128,890 | -$50,180 |
| Mean (average) | $53,580 | $84,740 | -$31,160 |
Rank among states: 50th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in West Virginia by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC, DC | 1,440 | $93,910 | $45.15 | 0.52 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in West Virginia
| Occupation | Employed | West Virginia Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 590 | $45,470 | $79,870 |
| Transportation inspectors | 90 | $58,670 | $92,100 |
West Virginia Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 560 | 690 | +21.6% | 60 |
Every Bordering State Pays More
Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky all report higher aircraft mechanic pay than West Virginia. Maryland's median of $100,500 is $55,030 above West Virginia's $45,470, the widest gap of any bordering state.
Virginia's median sits at $82,200, a $36,730 gap. Ohio pays $80,570, $35,100 higher, and Pennsylvania pays $78,000, a $32,530 gap. Kentucky, the closest neighbor by pay, still tops West Virginia by $22,450 at a median of $67,920.
Job Growth Outpaces the Nation
Projections Central expects aircraft mechanic employment in West Virginia to climb from 560 workers to 690 by 2034, a 21.6% increase. Nationally, the same occupation is projected to grow just 4%, from 139,400 to 145,000 workers.
That faster pace is expected to open about 60 mechanic positions a year in the state, even as West Virginia's workforce of 590 mechanics remains one of the smallest in the country.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in West Virginia vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in West Virginia
FAA-approved schools in West Virginia: 2. Compare West Virginia programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in West Virginia?
What Is the Hourly Pay for Aircraft Mechanics in West Virginia?
How Does West Virginia's Aircraft Mechanic Pay Compare With Neighboring States?
How Many Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Will Open in West Virginia Through 2034?
Where Does West Virginia Rank for Aircraft Mechanic Pay?
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 .