Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arizona

Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arizona: 4 FAA-Approved Programs

The FAA approves 4 aviation maintenance schools in Arizona under Part 147, its rule for mechanic training schools. They are spread across Glendale, Mesa, and Tucson, where mechanics earn a median $75,300 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

Edited by , Founder & Editor

Last updated

Nevada PhoenixTucson
  • School in Arizona
  • School in a neighboring state
  • Metro area

Schools shown on the Arizona map

  • Western Maricopa Education Center (Glendale)
  • American Leadership Academy Applied Technologies (Mesa)
  • Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Mesa)
  • Pima Community College (Tucson)
  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training

Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arizona

4

FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026

Cities With a School

3

FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026

Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay

$75,300

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Aircraft Mechanics Employed

5,670

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Projected Job Change, 2024-2034

+19.6%

Projections Central

Job growth is the standout number for aircraft mechanics in Arizona, projected at 19.6% through 2034, well above the national rate of 4%, even as Phoenix's aircraft mechanic employment sits at a location quotient of 1.81.

Western Maricopa Education Center in Glendale runs an evening Airframe and Powerplant certificate, accepts GI Bill benefits, and publishes a total program cost on its site. Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Mesa, a public school, offers the same ratings across a seven-term Associate of Applied Science or certificate, while Pima Community College in Tucson runs separate shorter certificates in general mechanics, structural repair, and avionics alongside a longer AAS.

Aircraft mechanics in Arizona earn a median of $75,300 a year, below the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 32nd among 50 states for that pay. Job growth is projected at 19.6% through 2034, well above the national rate of 4%, adding 460 positions.

School Directory

Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arizona by City

All 4 FAA-approved schools, sorted by city. Distances are measured from Phoenix. IPEDS tuition and graduation rates cover the whole institution, not only the aviation program. Listings follow our sourcing methodology.

Or browse the national list of FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools.

Compare Programs

Arizona Aviation Maintenance Programs Side by Side

Side-by-side program facts from each school's own pages, with IPEDS graduation rates where the school reports them.

Compare aviation maintenance schools in Arizona
SchoolCityTypeFAA RatingsCredentialPublished CostIPEDS Graduation Rate
Western Maricopa Education CenterGlendaleCareer-Tech CenterBoth$26,953, total program (AMT Airframe & Powerplant, full program)
American Leadership Academy Applied TechnologiesMesaCareer-Tech CenterDiploma
Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeMesaCommunity CollegeBothCertificate, Associate30%
Pima Community CollegeTucsonCommunity CollegeBothCertificate, Associate28%
FAA AV-Info (September 22, 2026), school program pages, IPEDS

By Metro Area

Metro Area Guides: Schools, Airports, and Pay

Each metro guide lists every school within commuting range, the local airports, and BLS pay for aircraft mechanics in that metro.

Metro areas: nearby schools and median aircraft mechanic pay
Metro Area Guide Schools Within 100 mi Median Pay, May 2025
Aviation maintenance schools near Phoenix3$76,610
Aviation maintenance schools near Tucson3$73,340
FAA AV-Info Part 147 list; BLS OEWS, May 2025, metropolitan area estimates

BLS Wage Data

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Arizona

BLS reports a median annual wage of $75,300 ($36.20 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Arizona, where 5,670 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 32nd of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.

Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 4,470 in 2024 to 5,350 in 2034 (+19.6%), with about 460 openings a year.

Statewide Aircraft Mechanic Pay Range $75,300median/yr ($36.20/hr)
$48,290 $121,480
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 49-3011)

Avionics Technician Pay in Arizona

Avionics Technicians, Arizona $79,770median/yr ($38.35/hr)
$57,330 $100,210
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 49-2091)

See the full Arizona aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area

Local Context

Where Arizona's Aircraft Mechanics Actually Work

Phoenix carries most of Arizona's aircraft mechanic jobs by sheer size, with a metro population of 5,186,958 against Tucson's 1,080,149. Pay tips slightly toward Phoenix too, at a median of $76,610 versus Tucson's $73,340, though both metros host their own FAA Part 147 school.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Mesa trains inside the Phoenix metro, while Pima Community College in Tucson serves the state's second-largest market directly. A student's choice of school tends to line up with where they'd rather work.

A Head Start Through Arizona High School

American Leadership Academy Applied Technologies in Mesa builds aircraft maintenance coursework into a high school diploma track, giving students exposure to the field years before they'd apply to a college program.

Evening, Multi-Term, or Single-Certificate Tracks

Western Maricopa Education Center runs its Glendale program entirely in the evening, Monday through Thursday. Chandler-Gilbert Community College spreads the same ratings across seven terms, and Pima Community College lets students pick one shorter certificate, such as structural repair or avionics, instead of committing to the full Airframe and Powerplant sequence.

FAA Certification

Getting Your A&P License in Arizona

The FAA issues the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, known as the A&P, under federal rules in 14 CFR Part 65, so the path is the same in every state. You qualify by graduating from an FAA-approved school or by documenting at least 30 months of hands-on work for both ratings, then passing three FAA knowledge tests and an oral and practical exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many FAA Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Schools Are in Arizona?
Arizona has 4 FAA Part 147 schools, spanning a high school diploma track, two public community colleges, and a private evening certificate program.

How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Arizona?
Western Maricopa Education Center's Airframe and Powerplant certificate runs 117 weeks, about two and a half years. Pima Community College's fastest path, the Airframe and Powerplant certificate, takes 16 months full-time or 28 months part-time, while its AAS in Aviation Technology takes 22 months full-time.

How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in Arizona Compare to the National Median?
Aircraft mechanics in Arizona earn a median of $75,300 a year, below the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 32nd among 50 states for that pay.

What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in Arizona?
Arizona projects 19.6% growth in aircraft mechanic jobs through 2034, well above the national rate of 4%, adding about 460 positions.

Is the Aircraft Mechanic License a State or Federal Credential?
It's a federal FAA credential, the A&P, the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, not a state license, so a certificate earned in Arizona is good in every state.

How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in Arizona?
Western Maricopa Education Center publishes a full Airframe and Powerplant program total of $26,952.50, plus a separate $50 application fee. Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Pima Community College price their Aviation Maintenance credentials by credit hour or per course instead.

Sources

All sources retrieved .

How we source and check each listing is explained on our data methodology page.