Installation & Repair · SOC 49-3011
Aircraft maintenance is FAA-regulated, safety-critical, and physically hands-on — among the most AI-resistant technical trades.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI diagnostic tools will assist fault detection within 5 years, but FAA rules requiring certified human sign-off on all aircraft maintenance are not changing anytime soon.
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$45,320 median pay
$62,580 median pay
$61,130 median pay
$46,560 median pay
$60,640 median pay
$59,810 median pay
AI job-risk card
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians is 18/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
18 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Reading and interpreting pilot-reported problem descriptions, Logging preventive and corrective maintenance in digital systems. Harder to automate: Certifying completed maintenance work for airworthiness, Physical inspection of landing gear, hydraulics, and deicers, Conducting required regulatory inspection protocols, Hands-on adjustment and repair of aircraft assemblies.
Lean into FAA regulations and airworthiness certification, Aircraft systems inspection, AI-assisted fault diagnostics, Aviation safety management. Consider roles such as Aviation quality assurance inspector or Aircraft maintenance supervisor or Aerospace manufacturing technician.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.