Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Dakota

Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Dakota: 1 FAA-Approved Program

South Dakota has one FAA-approved (Part 147) aircraft mechanic school, in Watertown, where mechanics earn a median $75,750 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

Edited by , Founder & Editor

Last updated

Nebraska
  • School in South Dakota
  • School in a neighboring state

Schools shown on the South Dakota map

  • Lake Area Technical College (Watertown)
  • Western Iowa Tech Community College (Sioux City, Iowa)

Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training

Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Dakota

1

FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026

City With a School

1

FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026

Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay

$75,750

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Aircraft Mechanics Employed

150

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown is South Dakota's only FAA Part 147 school, and it accepts GI Bill benefits for a Diploma or Associate of Applied Science that runs on an August-through-May academic calendar.

The program spans about 18 months across two academic years, following a school-year calendar rather than year-round enrollment.

Aircraft mechanics in South Dakota earn a median of $75,750 a year, below the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 30th among 50 states for that pay.

School Directory

Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Dakota: Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown is the only one of the FAA's aviation maintenance schools in South Dakota, shown with the program facts it publishes. 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.

BLS Wage Data

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Dakota

BLS reports a median annual wage of $75,750 ($36.42 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in South Dakota, where 150 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 30th of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.

Statewide Aircraft Mechanic Pay Range $75,750median/yr ($36.42/hr)
$51,160 $89,360
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 South Dakota

Avionics Technicians, South Dakota $83,220median/yr ($40.01/hr)
$61,510 $90,810
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 49-2091)

See the full South Dakota aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area

Local Context

A School-Year Calendar Instead of Year-Round Enrollment

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown runs its aviation maintenance program on an August-through-May academic calendar, closer to a traditional school year than the rolling or year-round starts some other states' schools use.

That structure spans about 18 months across two academic years, and the program accepts GI Bill benefits along the way, in a state with just this one FAA Part 147 school.

Diploma or Degree From the Same Watertown Program

Lake Area Technical College offers both a Diploma and an Associate of Applied Science from the same aviation maintenance program, giving students a choice of credential without switching schools.

FAA Certification

Getting Your A&P License in South Dakota

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 Dakota?
South Dakota has 1 FAA Part 147 school, Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.

Does Lake Area Technical College Accept GI Bill Benefits?
Yes. Lake Area Technical College accepts GI Bill benefits for its Diploma or Associate of Applied Science.

How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in South Dakota?
Lake Area Technical College's program in Watertown, South Dakota's only FAA Part 147 school, runs about 18 months across two academic years, from August through May, leading to a Diploma or Associate of Applied Science.

How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in South Dakota Compare to the National Median?
Aircraft mechanics in South Dakota earn a median of $75,750 a year, below the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 30th among 50 states for that pay.

How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in South Dakota?
Lake Area Technical College estimates its total 2026 program cost at $29,552, covering tuition ($9,514), fees ($10,318), department fees ($7,122), tools ($6,250), a uniform ($780), books ($1,200), a laptop ($1,190), and the FAA test fee ($300).

Is the Aircraft Mechanic Certificate a State or Federal License?
It's federal. The FAA issues the A&P, the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, under federal rules, so a credential earned at Lake Area Technical College works in every other state, not just South Dakota.

Sources

All sources retrieved .

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