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

Repair and maintenance

Oklahoma employs 8,550 aircraft mechanics, with a statewide median of $74,390 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oklahoma licensing picture, and where to train.

What Aircraft mechanics Earn in Oklahoma (May 2025)

Oklahoma median pay: $74,390 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $107,700
Top earners (90th percentile): $108,770
Employed in Oklahoma: 8,550
U.S. median (for comparison): $78,680 (May 2024)

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

Oklahoma City: $68,140 (3,310 employed)
Fort Smith: $63,170 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Oklahoma

Prices in Oklahoma run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,390 median stretches to roughly $84,727 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Oklahoma (2022–2032)

Oklahoma is projected to grow aircraft mechanics employment +3.1%, slower than the +4.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 480 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oklahoma License and Certification Requirements

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate — regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — federal, not state.

Attend an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (or document the required experience).
Pass the FAA written, oral, and practical exams.
Earn the A&P certificate — federal, so it's valid in every state.

Official requirements: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — federal, not state →

Training in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a major aviation-maintenance hub (Tinker AFB, Tulsa MRO bases, American Airlines). The A&P is one of the most portable and in-demand credentials in the state.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oklahoma include:

Autry Technology Center — Certificate
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center — Certificate
Canadian Valley Technology Center — Certificate
Central Technology Center — Certificate

Where Aircraft mechanics Work in Oklahoma

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

King Aerospace Commercial Corporation — Ardmore
Phoenix Rising Aviation Inc — Bartlesville
Gv Aerospace Technology LLC — Beggs
AK-Structures, LLC — Bethany
Associated Aero Service Inc — Bethany
Aviation Services Unlimited Inc — Bethany

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 Oklahoma?

The median wage for aircraft mechanics in Oklahoma is $74,390 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $108,770. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — federal, not state. Attend an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (or document the required experience).

Is being an Aircraft Mechanic a good career in Oklahoma?

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

Which Oklahoma metros pay aircraft mechanics the most?

Among Oklahoma metro areas, Oklahoma City leads at $68,140, followed by Fort Smith ($63,170). 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 Oklahoma?

Real Oklahoma options include Autry Technology Center, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Canadian Valley Technology Center. Most aircraft mechanics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Aircraft Mechanic a growing career in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma projects aircraft mechanics employment to change +3.1% from 2022 to 2032, with about 480 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), Oklahoma statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-3011. Licensing summary compiled from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — federal, not state (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 Oklahoma wages · Oklahoma 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.