Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arkansas
5
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Cities With a School
5
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$65,420
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
720
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected Job Change, 2024-2034
+13%
Projections Central
Pay is the sobering number for aircraft mechanics in Arkansas: a median of $65,420 a year ranks 44th among 50 states, well under the $79,870 national figure, even though the field is projected to grow 13% through 2034, above the national rate of 4%.
Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville and Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, both public, run Associate of Applied Science tracks in the state's north and south. University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock teaches day and evening classes and publishes a total program cost, while Texarkana College and Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis train along the state's eastern border.
Little Rock's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $72,700 a year, above the statewide figure, while Arkansas overall trails the $79,870 national median. Growth is still projected at 13% through 2034, above the national rate of 4%, adding 80 positions with about 60 openings expected each year.
School Directory
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Arkansas by City
All 5 FAA-approved schools, sorted by city. Distances are measured from Little Rock. IPEDS tuition and graduation rates cover the whole institution, not only the aviation program. Listings follow our sourcing methodology.
- Certificate, Associate
- Certificate, Associate
- 4 semesters (87 credit hours) for the AAS degree
- $3,450 a year in-state tuition
- 62% graduation rate
10 mi
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
Community college in North Little Rock
- Airframe
- Powerplant
- Certificate, Associate
- $18,000 total program
- $4,350 a year in-state tuition
- 36% graduation rate
- Certificate, Associate
- $4,870 total program, certificate (45 hours), in-district Texas resident, approximate
- Certificate, Associate
- $13,092 total program, in-district (range $12,858-$13,325)
Or browse the national list of FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools.
Compare Programs
Arkansas 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.
| School | City | Type | FAA Ratings | Credential | Published Cost | IPEDS Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | ||
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | Camden | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | 62% | |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | $18,000, total program | 36% |
| Texarkana College | Texarkana | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | $4,870, total program, certificate (45 hours), in-district Texas resident, approximate | |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South | West Memphis | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | $13,092, total program, in-district (range $12,858-$13,325) |
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 Area Guide | Schools Within 100 mi | Median Pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation maintenance schools near Little Rock | 2 | $72,700 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Fayetteville | 3 | $44,190 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Arkansas
BLS reports a median annual wage of $65,420 ($31.45 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Arkansas, where 720 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 44th of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 640 in 2024 to 730 in 2034 (+13%), with about 60 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in Arkansas
See the full Arkansas aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Little Rock's Pay Premium Over the Rest of Arkansas
Little Rock's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $72,700 a year, well above the $65,420 statewide figure, in a metro of 769,258 people. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, with 605,615 people, reports a lower median of $44,190.
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College sits inside that higher-paying Little Rock market, in North Little Rock. The state's other four schools, in Blytheville, Camden, Texarkana, and West Memphis, train along Arkansas's borders instead.
Training Along Arkansas's State Lines
Three of Arkansas's 5 schools sit close to a state line. Texarkana College trains at the Texas border, Arkansas State University Mid-South serves West Memphis across the river from Tennessee, and Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville is a short drive from Missouri. Students on either side of those lines have a nearby option.
Certificate or Associate Degree in Arkansas
Texarkana College offers a shorter certificate alongside a longer associate's degree, giving students a choice of pace. Southern Arkansas University Tech and Arkansas State University Mid-South both build toward a full Associate of Applied Science, while Arkansas Northeastern College offers separate technical certificates in airframe and powerplant maintenance for students who want just one rating.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Arkansas?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in Arkansas Compare to the National Median?
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in Arkansas?
Is the Aircraft Mechanic License a State or Federal Credential?
How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in Arkansas?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- IPEDS via Hapi, CIP 47.0607-47.0609 (all levels) + 49.0104 (bachelor's/master's)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- eCFR 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D (Mechanics)
- FAA - Become an Aviation Mechanic
- FAA - Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
All sources retrieved .
How we source and check each listing is explained on our data methodology page.