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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2025, more than basic people skills were required for 72.4 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians. Basic people skills were required for 27.6 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of aircraft mechanics and service technicians with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	58.2	41.8
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	53.3	46.7
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	<0.5	>99.5
Supervising others	<5	>95
Supervisor present in immediate work area	65.0	35.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, on-the-job training was required for 75.3 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians.

A high school diploma was required for 83.3 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for less than 0.5 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians. Another 66.7 percent were exposed to moderate noise, 33.3 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 80.3 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 19.7 percent.

Physical demands

The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2025, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for greater than 99.5 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For less than 20 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom required, for 69.3 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was occasionally required, for 24.4 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for greater than 90 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians and was not required for less than 10 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 2.4 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians. On average, workers spent 25.7 percent of the workday sitting and 74.3 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of aircraft mechanics and service technicians with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	2.4	97.6
Driving	60.1	39.9
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	16.8	83.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey