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Aircraft Mechanic in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Repair and maintenance

Indiana employs 1,500 aircraft mechanics, with a statewide median of $63,400 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Aircraft mechanics Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $63,400 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $36,980
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,670
Top earners (90th percentile): $90,060
Employed in Indiana: 1,500
U.S. median (for comparison): $78,680 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for aircraft mechanics in major Indiana markets:

Fort Wayne: $71,070 (90 employed)
Indianapolis: $63,280 (840 employed)
South Bend: $60,680 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,400 median stretches to roughly $67,953 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow aircraft mechanics employment +5.5%, faster than the +4.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate — regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Indiana state license required.

Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) at Vincennes University, Indiana State University, or Purdue University (West Lafayette — a major aviation program). Alternatively, accumulate 30 months combined OJT.
Pass three FAA tests for each rating: written, oral, and practical. The FAA issues the A&P certificate — no Indiana state license is needed.
Major Indiana employers include Fed Ex's Indianapolis hub (one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world), Republic Airways (Indianapolis-based), American Airlines MRO at IND, and corporate aviation operators.

Official requirements: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Indiana state license required →

Training in Indiana

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is the world's second-busiest cargo airport (FedEx hub), making it one of the best A&P mechanic job markets in the Midwest. FedEx's Indianapolis world hub employs hundreds of A&P mechanics for cargo aircraft maintenance. Purdue University's aviation technology program and Vincennes University are the premier Indiana pathways.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Indianapolis — Certificate / Associate
Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate / Associate
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis — Certificate / Associate
Vincennes University — Certificate / Associate

Where Aircraft mechanics Work in Indiana

Real Indiana FAA-certified repair stations that employ aircraft mechanics include:

Mj Aircraft Inc — Anderson
Acme Coatings Inc — Avon
East West Helicopter Inc — Batesville
North American Balloon Company LLC — Bloomington
C.f. Roark Welding & Engineering Co. Inc — Brownsburg
Above and Beyond Repair Station LLC — Carmel

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Detail-oriented mechanical people who can follow strict procedures.

Think twice if: You dislike regulation, documentation, shift work, or high accountability.

Why it's resilient: Aviation maintenance is regulated, safety-critical, inspection-heavy, and tied to physical assets.

First Steps

Search FAA-approved A&P programs and regional maintenance employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do aircraft mechanics make in Indiana?

The median wage for aircraft mechanics in Indiana is $63,400 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,980, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $90,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Aircraft Mechanic in Indiana?

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Indiana state license required. Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) at Vincennes University, Indiana State University, or Purdue University (West Lafayette — a major aviation program). Alternatively, accumulate 30 months combined OJT.

Is being an Aircraft Mechanic a good career in Indiana?

Aviation maintenance is regulated, safety-critical, inspection-heavy, and tied to physical assets.

Which Indiana metros pay aircraft mechanics the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Fort Wayne leads at $71,070, followed by Indianapolis ($63,280), South Bend ($60,680). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Aircraft Mechanic in Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College, Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis. Most aircraft mechanics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Aircraft Mechanic a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects aircraft mechanics employment to change +5.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-3011. Licensing summary compiled from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Indiana state license required (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.