Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training
Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Carolina
3
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Cities With a School
3
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$75,160
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,660
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected Job Change, 2024-2034
+7.1%
Projections Central
Greenville's aircraft mechanics work at a location quotient of 1.32, above the national concentration for the occupation, even though South Carolina runs no IPEDS-tracked aviation maintenance degree program.
Greenville Technical College accepts GI Bill benefits for its Associate in Applied Science and standalone Airframe and Powerplant certificates. Trident Technical College in North Charleston offers the same mix of degree and certificate options, and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics' Myrtle Beach Campus rounds out South Carolina's 3 schools with a diploma track.
Aircraft mechanics in South Carolina earn a median of $75,160 a year, below the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 33rd among 50 states for that pay. Growth is projected at 7.1% through 2034, adding 120 positions, with about 140 openings expected each year.
School Directory
Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Carolina by City
All 3 FAA-approved schools, sorted by city. Distances are measured from Greenville. Listings follow our sourcing methodology.
- Certificate, Associate
- GI Bill accepted
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Myrtle Beach Campus
Private aviation school in Myrtle Beach
- Airframe
- Powerplant
- Certificate, Diploma
- 16 months
- $31,200 total program for students starting after July 1, 2026 (4 semesters, 65 credits)
- Certificate, Associate
Or browse the national list of FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools.
Compare Programs
South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | ||
| Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Myrtle Beach Campus | Myrtle Beach | Private Aviation School | 16 months | Both | Certificate, Diploma | $31,200, total program for students starting after July 1, 2026 (4 semesters, 65 credits) |
| Trident Technical College | North Charleston | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate |
Across the State Line
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near the South Carolina Border
2 FAA-approved schools in neighboring states within 100 miles of Greenville, nearest first.
- Certificate, Diploma, Associate
- six semesters
- $3,210 a year in-state tuition
- 31% graduation rate
95 mi
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Charlotte
Private aviation school in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Airframe
- Powerplant
- Certificate
- 21 months
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 Greenville | 3 | $81,450 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Columbia | 4 | $73,110 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Charleston | 3 | $81,690 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Carolina
BLS reports a median annual wage of $75,160 ($36.13 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in South Carolina, where 1,660 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 33rd of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 1,650 in 2024 to 1,770 in 2034 (+7.1%), with about 140 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in South Carolina
See the full South Carolina aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Greenville's Concentration Doesn't Match Charleston's Pay
Greenville's aircraft mechanics work at a location quotient of 1.32, the strongest concentration of the occupation in South Carolina, yet Charleston's median pay, $81,690, edges out Greenville's $81,450 in raw dollars.
Greenville Technical College trains inside that concentrated market, while Trident Technical College in North Charleston serves the higher-paying Charleston metro instead.
A Wide Menu of Certificates in Greenville
Greenville Technical College doesn't just offer a single combined credential. Students can pursue Aviation Airframe Structure/Systems, Aviation Fundamentals, or Aviation Powerplant Theory/Systems certificates separately, on top of the full Associate in Applied Science.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
Which South Carolina School Accepts GI Bill Benefits?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in South Carolina Compare to the National Median?
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in South Carolina?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in South Carolina?
How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in South Carolina?
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.