Florida Metro Area Guide

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Compare the 9 aviation maintenance schools near Lakeland-Winter Haven, all within 100 miles, BLS May 2025 pay for local aircraft mechanics, and the airports and aviation employers in the area.

Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

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Last updated

Florida 100 mi 7 mi36 mi48 mi57 mi73 mi79 mi92 mi96 mi Lakeland-Winter Haven
  • Lakeland-Winter Haven center
  • School, miles from center
  • 100-mile radius

Schools near Lakeland-Winter Haven, by straight-line distance

  • A&P Mechanic Institute (Lakeland): 5 miles
  • Central Florida Aerospace Academy (Lakeland): 7 miles
  • US Aviation Academy Kissimmee (Kissimmee): 36 miles
  • National Aviation Academy, Tampa Bay Campus (Clearwater): 48 miles
  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance Orlando (Casselberry): 57 miles
  • Charlotte Technical College (Port Charlotte): 73 miles
  • Eastern Florida State College (Titusville): 79 miles
  • Epic Flight Academy (New Smyrna Beach): 92 miles
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach): 96 miles

Lakeland-Winter Haven at a Glance

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven

9

Within 100 mi, FAA 2026

Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Lakeland-Winter Haven Metro

110

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Metro Median Pay

$61,020

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Location Quotient

0.49

BLS OEWS, May 2025

LAL Passenger Boardings

24,185

FAA, CY2024

Area covered: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 29460).

Draken International, which flies the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets for U.S. military training contracts, runs its headquarters and maintenance operations at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Aircraft mechanic employment here sits well below the national average, at a location quotient of 0.49, and local median pay is $61,020 a year against the $79,870 U.S. median.

Training options run from right in Lakeland out toward Orlando. A&P Mechanic Institute is 5.2 miles away, training in a fully equipped hangar with real aircraft. Central Florida Aerospace Academy, on the Lakeland Linder airport property itself, is 6.9 miles out. US Aviation Academy Kissimmee is 35.7 miles away, and National Aviation Academy's Tampa Bay campus, in Clearwater, is 48.1 miles out.

Within Commuting Range

FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven

9 FAA-approved schools are within 100 miles, nearest first. The closest is 5 miles away, in Lakeland.

Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland-Winter Haven.

Epic Flight Academy

New Smyrna Beach · 92 mi

  • Airframe
  • Powerplant
Program Length
15 months School website
Published Program Cost
$36,995 School website

Private aviation school. FAA certificate 3P7T641K.

Official website

See all FAA-approved programs statewide on the aviation maintenance schools in Florida page.

BLS Wage Data

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven

Aircraft mechanics in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area earn a median of $61,020 a year ($29.34 an hour), $15,920 below the Florida median of $76,940.

Aircraft Mechanic Salary, Lakeland-Winter Haven Metro $61,020median/yr ($29.34/hr)
$37,280 $86,820
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Lakeland-Winter Haven Pay vs. Florida and U.S. Medians

The Lakeland-Winter Haven median is $18,850 below the U.S. median of $79,870.

Median Annual Aircraft Mechanic Wage
Lakeland-Winter Haven metro $61,020
Florida statewide $76,940
United States $79,870

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Avionics Technician Pay in Lakeland-Winter Haven

BLS counts 30 avionics technicians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area, with a median of $74,500 a year.

Avionics Technicians, Lakeland-Winter Haven Metro $74,500median/yr ($35.82/hr)
$45,320 $98,590
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Compare metro areas across the state on the Florida aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.

Local Employers

Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Lakeland-Winter Haven

BLS counts 110 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.49.

A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.

Airports

Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area

Lakeland Linder International (LAL) recorded 24,185 passenger boardings in 2024, the most of the airports listed here.

FAA Commercial Service and All-Cargo Airports, Lakeland-Winter Haven Area
AirportFAA IDHub ClassPassenger Boardings, 2024All-Cargo Landed Weight, 2024 (lb)
Lakeland Linder InternationalLALNonhub24,185760,310,000
FAA CY2024 enplanement and all-cargo landed weight data.

Local Context

A Cargo Airport Built Around One Big Tenant

Lakeland Linder International landed 760,310,000 pounds of cargo in 2024, and Draken International's headquarters and MRO hangar complex sit right on the field. Draken operates the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets under U.S. military training contracts, work that keeps airframe and engine crews busy well beyond the airport's passenger side.

That single tenant shapes the local job market more than most metros this size see from one company. A mechanic here can build a career around tactical jet maintenance without leaving the Lakeland area, a specialty most training programs elsewhere don't offer close to home.

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven: Common Questions

What Schools Near Lakeland Train Aircraft Mechanics?
A&P Mechanic Institute is 5.2 miles away, and Central Florida Aerospace Academy is 6.9 miles out, both in Lakeland. US Aviation Academy Kissimmee is 35.7 miles away, and National Aviation Academy's Tampa Bay campus is 48.1 miles out.

What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Lakeland-Winter Haven?
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians here earn a median $61,020 a year, with the middle half earning between $47,140 and $76,880. That's below the $79,870 U.S. median for the occupation.

Who Is the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employer in Lakeland?
Draken International, which operates the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets for U.S. military training contracts, runs its headquarters and MRO hangar complex at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

How Far Is Training From Where Mechanics Work in Lakeland?
A&P Mechanic Institute is 5.2 miles from downtown Lakeland, and Central Florida Aerospace Academy sits right on the Lakeland Linder airport property. Both are short commutes for most of the metro.

Do Hours at a Local Employer Count Toward FAA Certification?
Yes. Documented practical experience under 14 CFR Part 65 counts toward the FAA's mechanic certification requirements, whether it's earned at Draken International or another aviation employer in the Lakeland area.

More Metro Guides

Aviation Maintenance Schools in Other Metro Areas

Aviation Maintenance Schools in FloridaEvery FAA-approved aviation maintenance school in Florida, with locations and program facts.Aircraft Mechanic Salary in FloridaBLS May 2025 pay and employment for Florida, by metro area.National Mechanic Pay DataBLS median and percentile pay, with the states and industries that pay most.How to Become an Aircraft MechanicThe FAA routes to the mechanic certificate, from an FAA-approved school to testing.What Aviation Maintenance School CostsCompare published program prices, in-state and out-of-state rates, and FAA test fees.Mechanic Job MarketOpenings, projected growth, and the states and metros with the most jobs.

Sources for School and Pay Data

All sources retrieved .

Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.

Florida

Compare Every Aviation Maintenance School in Florida

See all 19 FAA-approved schools in Florida side by side.

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