Difference From U.S. Median
-$5,940
Median Hourly Wage
$35.54
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,270
Median Pay Rank Among States
37th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
Milwaukee is home to two of Wisconsin's most notable aircraft maintenance employers: SkyWest Airlines runs a maintenance base at General Mitchell International Airport, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard maintains its fleet from the same field. The aircraft mechanic salary in Wisconsin is $73,930 a year, or $35.54 an hour, according to BLS OEWS data for May 2025, just under the $79,870 national median.
Delta TechOps and West Star Aviation also maintain aircraft nearby at Minneapolis-St. Paul, a reminder that Wisconsin's mechanics compete across a wider regional labor market. Statewide pay for aircraft mechanics ranges from $44,520 to $99,850, with the middle half earning between $57,780 and $85,060 across 1,270 workers tracked by the state's OEWS survey.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Wisconsin by Percentile
| Percentile | Wisconsin | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,520 | $48,780 | -$4,260 |
| 25th percentile | $57,780 | $62,630 | -$4,850 |
| Median (50th) | $73,930 | $79,870 | -$5,940 |
| 75th percentile | $85,060 | $99,130 | -$14,070 |
| 90th percentile | $99,850 | $128,890 | -$29,040 |
| Mean (average) | $74,310 | $84,740 | -$10,430 |
Rank among states: 37th of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Wisconsin by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | 2,110 | $90,050 | $43.29 | 1.22 |
| Milwaukee | 510 | $74,480 | $35.81 | 0.70 |
| Madison | 170 | $74,030 | $35.59 | 0.48 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Wisconsin
| Occupation | Employed | Wisconsin Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,270 | $73,930 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 130 | $65,230 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 120 | $75,260 | $92,100 |
Wisconsin Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,180 | 1,300 | +9.8% | 110 |
| Avionics technicians | 180 | 210 | +17.2% | 20 |
Employers Anchoring Milwaukee's Market
SkyWest Airlines operates an aircraft maintenance base at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard maintains its fleet from the same field through its 128th Maintenance Group. Both employers draw on the same metro's mechanic workforce.
Nearby, Delta TechOps runs a widebody maintenance center and West Star Aviation operates a satellite MRO station, both at Minneapolis-St. Paul, giving Wisconsin mechanics a larger regional market to work within.
Pay by Metro
Milwaukee employs about 510 aircraft mechanics at a median hourly wage of $35.81, while Madison's smaller market of 170 workers reports a median of $35.59 an hour. Both sit close to the statewide median of $73,930.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, just across the border, pays a median of $90,050 a year, well above Wisconsin's statewide figure, reflecting a location quotient of 1.22 for mechanic jobs there.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Wisconsin vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Wisconsin
FAA-approved schools in Wisconsin: 2. Compare Wisconsin programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in Wisconsin?
What Is the Hourly Pay for Aircraft Mechanics in Wisconsin?
Which Employers Maintain Aircraft in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin Metro Pays Aircraft Mechanics the Most?
How Much Does Aircraft Mechanic Training Cost in Wisconsin Compared With the 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 .