"Some 83% of technicians are expected to retire or leave the profession globally over the next decade, according to the CAE Aviation Talent Forecast. By 2034, that translates to a need of about 416,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians worldwide. Jason Pfaff, CEO of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, told Fortune the occupation has largely suffered from a lack of awareness and has become largely "hidden.""
"To meet the demand, many aviation technician programs, including AIM, offer 21-month training programs-all at a fraction of the cost of a four-year degree. If students then pass the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) exams, they become "one of the most in-demand people in aerospace," Pfaff added. Depending on the campus, AIM employment placement rates average around 73%. While the work isn't all glamorous-technicians often endure extreme weather, noisy tarmacs, and the smell of jet fumes-the payoff can be substantial."
The national aviation system faces multiple strains, including controller shortages, long security lines, and crowded terminals, while aviation maintenance technicians confront a critical workforce gap. An estimated 83% of current technicians are expected to retire or leave within the next decade, creating a global need for roughly 416,000 new maintenance technicians by 2034. Accelerated 21-month technician programs with FAA A&P certification offer an affordable pathway into the field and report solid placement rates. Median U.S. pay is around $79,000, with overtime and advancement commonly pushing total compensation into six figures for many technicians.
Read at Fortune
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