Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Minnesota
4
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Cities With a School
4
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$81,980
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
2,390
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected Job Change, 2024-2034
+4.3%
Projections Central
Public community and technical colleges handle Minnesota's aircraft maintenance training, and the field is projected to grow 4.3% through 2034, above the national rate of 4%.
Lake Superior College in Duluth and Minneapolis College both lead to an Associate of Applied Science, with Minneapolis College also offering a shorter diploma across six continuous semesters, including summer terms. St. Cloud Technical & Community College and Northland Community and Technical College, in Thief River Falls, round out the state's 4 schools with their own AAS and diploma tracks.
Aircraft mechanics in Minnesota earn a median of $81,980 a year, above the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 18th among 50 states for that pay. Growth is projected at 4.3% through 2034, adding 100 positions, with about 180 openings expected each year.
School Directory
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Minnesota by City
All 4 FAA-approved schools, sorted by city. Distances are measured from Minneapolis-St. Paul. IPEDS tuition and graduation rates cover the whole institution, not only the aviation program. Listings follow our sourcing methodology.
- Associate
- 2 years
- $5,931 average annual tuition and fees, 2025-26
- $4,996 a year in-state tuition
- 42% graduation rate
- Diploma, Associate
- 6 continuous semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer cycle)
- $255 per credit
- $5,264 a year in-state tuition
- 20% graduation rate
- Diploma, Associate
St. Cloud Technical & Community College Profile Program Page
Northland Community and Technical College
Community college in Thief River Falls
- Diploma, Associate
- 94 credit hours
- $5,626 a year in-state tuition
- 56% graduation rate
Northland Community and Technical College Profile Program Page
Or browse the national list of FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools.
Compare Programs
Minnesota 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 | Program Length | FAA Ratings | Credential | Published Cost | IPEDS Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Community College | 2 years | Both | Associate | $5,931, average annual tuition and fees, 2025-26 | 42% |
| Minneapolis College | Minneapolis | Community College | Both | Diploma, Associate | $255, per credit | 20% | |
| St. Cloud Technical & Community College | St. Cloud | Community College | Both | Diploma, Associate | |||
| Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls | Community College | 94 credit hours | Diploma, Associate | 56% |
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 Minneapolis-St. Paul | 2 | $90,050 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Minnesota
BLS reports a median annual wage of $81,980 ($39.41 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Minnesota, where 2,390 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 18th of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 2,260 in 2024 to 2,360 in 2034 (+4.3%), with about 180 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in Minnesota
See the full Minnesota aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Minneapolis-St. Paul's Pay Edge Over the Rest of Minnesota
Minneapolis-St. Paul's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $90,050 a year, well above the $81,980 statewide figure, in a metro of 3,757,952 people. Minneapolis College trains directly inside that market.
Lake Superior College in Duluth, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, and Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls serve the rest of the state instead, spread across northern and central Minnesota away from the Twin Cities' pay premium.
A Year-Round Schedule at Minneapolis College
Minneapolis College runs its Associate of Applied Science across six continuous semesters, including summer, rather than pausing for a break each year. That structure can shorten the calendar time to finish compared with a school that only runs fall and spring terms.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
Which Minnesota School Runs Through the Summer?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in Minnesota Compare to the National Median?
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in Minnesota?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Minnesota?
How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in Minnesota?
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.