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

Repair and maintenance

Tennessee employs 4,670 aircraft mechanics, with a statewide median of $81,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Aircraft mechanics Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $81,040 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $52,900
Experienced (75th percentile): $95,140
Top earners (90th percentile): $167,410
Employed in Tennessee: 4,670
U.S. median (for comparison): $78,680 (May 2024)

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

Memphis: $92,180 (2,140 employed)
Nashville: $68,080 (1,640 employed)
Knoxville: $67,300 (300 employed)
Clarksville: $60,710 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,040 median stretches to roughly $88,183 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow aircraft mechanics employment +8.5%, faster than the +4.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 540 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

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

Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) program (typically 18–24 months) or accumulate 30 months of combined OJT on airframes and powerplants, then pass FAA knowledge, oral, and practical tests.
Pass three FAA tests for each rating (Airframe, Powerplant): written, oral, and practical. The FAA issues the A&P certificate — no Tennessee state license needed.
After two years with an A&P, apply for FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) for annual inspection authority and increased earning potential.

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

Training in Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro) and Nashville State offer FAA-approved programs. Nashville International Airport (BNA), FedEx's Memphis world hub (one of the largest cargo airports in the world), and Tennessee's network of corporate aviation operations are major employers. FedEx's Memphis MRO operation is a particularly large employer of A&P mechanics.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Certificate
Nashville Auto-Diesel College — Certificate / Associate
North Central Institute — Certificate / Associate

Where Aircraft mechanics Work in Tennessee

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

Cirrus Factory Service Center — Alcoa
Horizon Avionics — Alcoa
Team Aerospace Inc — Antioch
Fast Turn Aviation LLC — Bartlett
Wysong Enterprises Inc — Blountville
Fuel Systems International — Brentwood

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 Tennessee?

The median wage for aircraft mechanics in Tennessee is $81,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,900, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $167,410. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Tennessee state license required. Complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) program (typically 18–24 months) or accumulate 30 months of combined OJT on airframes and powerplants, then pass FAA knowledge, oral, and practical tests.

Is being an Aircraft Mechanic a good career in Tennessee?

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

Which Tennessee metros pay aircraft mechanics the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Memphis leads at $92,180, followed by Nashville ($68,080), Knoxville ($67,300). 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 Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga State Community College, Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga, Nashville Auto-Diesel 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 Tennessee?

Tennessee projects aircraft mechanics employment to change +8.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 540 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-3011. Licensing summary compiled from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — no Tennessee 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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.