Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Training
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Virginia
4
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Cities With a School
4
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$82,200
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
2,260
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected Job Change, 2024-2034
+1.7%
Projections Central
Virginia's aircraft mechanic job growth is projected at just 1.7% through 2034, well below the national rate of 4%, even though the state's median pay, $82,200, already tops the $79,870 national figure.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance's Manassas and Norfolk campuses both accept GI Bill benefits for a certificate completed in just under two years, with day and evening classes. Liberty University in Lynchburg offers an Associate of Arts, and Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, a public school, splits its training into separate Airframe and Powerplant certificates alongside a full Associate of Applied Science.
Aircraft mechanics in Virginia earn a median of $82,200 a year, above the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 16th among 50 states for that pay. Growth is projected at just 1.7% through 2034, adding 40 positions, with about 180 openings expected each year.
School Directory
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Virginia by City
All 4 FAA-approved schools, sorted by city. Distances are measured from Virginia Beach-Norfolk. IPEDS tuition and graduation rates cover the whole institution, not only the aviation program. Listings follow our sourcing methodology.
- Associate
- 87 credit hours
- $15,297 a year in-state tuition
- 65% graduation rate
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas
Private aviation school in Manassas
- Certificate
- 21 months
- GI Bill accepted
- Certificate
- 21 months
- GI Bill accepted
- Certificate, Associate
- $4,902 a year in-state tuition
- 40% graduation rate
Or browse the national list of FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools.
Compare Programs
Virginia 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 | IPEDS Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | University | 87 credit hours | Both | Associate | 65% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas | Manassas | Private Aviation School | 21 months | Certificate | ||
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance Norfolk | Norfolk | Private Aviation School | 21 months | Certificate | ||
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | Community College | Both | Certificate, Associate | 40% |
Across the State Line
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near the Virginia Border
1 FAA-approved school in neighboring states within 100 miles of Virginia Beach-Norfolk, nearest first.
- Diploma, Associate
- $2,095 a year in-state tuition
- 35% graduation rate
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 Virginia Beach-Norfolk | 2 | $80,450 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Richmond | 5 | $75,100 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Virginia
BLS reports a median annual wage of $82,200 ($39.52 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in Virginia, where 2,260 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 16th of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 2,360 in 2024 to 2,400 in 2034 (+1.7%), with about 180 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in Virginia
See the full Virginia aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Two GI Bill Campuses on Opposite Ends of Virginia
Aviation Institute of Maintenance runs two Virginia campuses, in Manassas and Norfolk, both accepting GI Bill benefits for the same certificate program on the same roughly two-year timeline.
Virginia Beach-Norfolk's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $80,450 a year, well above Richmond's $75,100, even though Richmond's population, 1,370,165, isn't far behind Virginia Beach-Norfolk's 1,794,278.
A Choice Between One Rating or Both in Weyers Cave
Blue Ridge Community College lets students pursue a standalone Airframe or Powerplant certificate over three semesters each, instead of committing straight to the combined Associate of Applied Science over four semesters.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in Virginia
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 Virginia?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in Virginia Compare to the National Median?
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for Aircraft Mechanics in Virginia?
Is the Aircraft Mechanic Certificate a State or Federal License?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Virginia?
What Credentials Do Virginia's Aviation Maintenance Programs Award?
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.