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Salary comparison

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors vs. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Who Earns More?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians out-earn Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by $22K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors land at $58,170 and Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians at $79,870. The education gap is real: aircraft cargo handling supervisor programs typically require no formal educational credential, while aircraft mechanics and service technician programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is Georgia ($81,380); for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians it's New Jersey ($105,370).

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Median salary
$58,170
$79,870
Hourly rate
$27.97/hr
$38.4/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,690
$48,780
Senior level (90th %)
$92,160
$128,890
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
9,760
138,090
Job growth (10-year)
5.2%
4%
Category
Transportation
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Georgia
New Jersey

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors median pay.

State
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Colorado
$79,260
$82,080
Connecticut
$78,770
$96,830
Virginia
$78,420
$82,200
New Mexico
$72,760
$84,440
Nevada
$70,740
$94,890
New Jersey
$65,590
$105,370
Oregon
$61,340
$82,850
Washington
$61,090
$98,980
California
$60,530
$86,100
Alabama
$59,460
$82,260
Hawaii
$59,120
$90,830
Alaska
$58,230
$91,150
New York
$57,290
$102,800
Texas
$56,290
$84,440
Massachusetts
$52,470
$93,040

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $58,170 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors versus $79,870 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, a difference of $22K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors has the better 10-year outlook at 5.2% projected growth, compared to 4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors typically requires no formal educational credential. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors get paid the most?

Georgia is the top-paying state for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors at $81,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors vs. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors earn $79,260 vs. $82,080 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft cargo handling supervisorsGuide →How to become a aircraft mechanics and service techniciansGuide →