Back to the national Aircraft Mechanic profile

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

Repair and maintenance

Massachusetts employs 1,410 aircraft mechanics, with a statewide median of $93,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Aircraft mechanics Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $93,040 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $75,180
Experienced (75th percentile): $99,290
Top earners (90th percentile): $133,400
Employed in Massachusetts: 1,410
U.S. median (for comparison): $78,680 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $93,280 (1,220 employed)
Cape Cod: $81,900 (50 employed)
Providence: $70,720 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $93,040 median is worth closer to $87,940 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow aircraft mechanics employment +6.5%, faster than the +4.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

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

Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) at Bridgewater State University, Embry-Riddle Worldwide, or accumulate 30 months of combined OJT on airframes and powerplants.
Pass three FAA tests for each rating: written, oral, and practical. The FAA issues the A&P certificate — no Massachusetts state license is needed.
After two years with an A&P, apply for FAA Inspection Authorization (IA). Major New England area employers include Jetblue Technical Operations, American Airlines MRO at Logan, and several corporate aviation operations.

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

Training in Massachusetts

Logan International Airport (BOS) supports a significant MRO and corporate aviation market. Cape Air (headquartered in Hyannis) and regional carriers based in New England are employers of A&P mechanics. The Boston area's density of hospitals also creates helicopter EMS A&P demand. Embry-Riddle and Bridgewater State's programs are the primary New England pathways.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology — Certificate / Associate
Cape Cod Community College — Certificate / Associate
Massachusetts Bay Community College — Certificate / Associate
Massasoit Community College — Associate

Where Aircraft mechanics Work in Massachusetts

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

Atech Turbine Components, Inc — Auburn
Mistras Services Division — Auburn
East Coast Aero Club — Bedford
Mit Lincoln Laboratory Flight Facility — Bedford
Test Applicant for 145 Sas — Boston
Devos Borescope Blending LLC — Chicopee

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 Massachusetts?

The median wage for aircraft mechanics in Massachusetts is $93,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $75,180, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $133,400. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Massachusetts state license required. Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) at Bridgewater State University, Embry-Riddle Worldwide, or accumulate 30 months of combined OJT on airframes and powerplants.

Is being an Aircraft Mechanic a good career in Massachusetts?

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

Which Massachusetts metros pay aircraft mechanics the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $93,280, followed by Cape Cod ($81,900), Providence ($70,720). 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 Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College. Most aircraft mechanics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Aircraft Mechanic a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects aircraft mechanics employment to change +6.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 130 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-3011. Licensing summary compiled from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.