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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs. Aircraft Service Attendants: Who Earns More?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians out-earn Aircraft Service Attendants by $39K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians land at $79,870 and Aircraft Service Attendants at $40,450. The education gap is real: aircraft mechanics and service technician programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while aircraft service attendant programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians is New Jersey ($105,370); for Aircraft Service Attendants it's Maryland ($71,740).

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Aircraft Service Attendants
Median salary
$79,870
$40,450
Hourly rate
$38.4/hr
$19.45/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,780
$33,830
Senior level (90th %)
$128,890
$57,610
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
138,090
31,300
Job growth (10-year)
4%
5.1%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Transportation
Top-paying state
New Jersey
Maryland

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians median pay.

State
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Aircraft Service Attendants
New Jersey
$105,370
$46,210
New York
$102,800
$44,600
Maryland
$100,500
$71,740
Washington
$98,980
$50,520
Alaska
$91,150
$46,760
Hawaii
$90,830
$53,770
California
$86,100
$46,800
New Mexico
$84,440
$45,280
Colorado
$82,080
$44,500
Minnesota
$81,980
$46,930
Tennessee
$81,040
$56,620
Kansas
$80,270
$45,960
New Hampshire
$79,610
$45,610
Utah
$70,160
$46,900
Montana
$64,170
$46,310

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $79,870 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians versus $40,450 for Aircraft Service Attendants, a difference of $39K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aircraft Service Attendants has the better 10-year outlook at 5.1% projected growth, compared to 4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians or Aircraft Service Attendants?

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

Where do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians at $105,370/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs. Aircraft Service Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn $105,370 vs. $46,210 for Aircraft Service Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Service Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Service Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft mechanics and service techniciansGuide →How to become a aircraft service attendantsGuide →