Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary
The median pay for a aircraft mechanics and service technicians in West Virginia is $45,470/year ($21.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $51,073 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,008/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across West Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $45K get you in West Virginia?
About aircraft mechanics and service technicians
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in West Virginia runs about 43% below the U.S. median of $80K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level aircraft mechanics and service technicians (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary by metro in West Virginia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $62K | +36% | 40 |
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Track aircraft mechanics and service technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a aircraft mechanics and service technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $45K, rent takes 32.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new aircraft mechanics and service technicians typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,113/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is aircraft mechanics and service technician a high-paying job in West Virginia?
Local pay runs 43% below the national median — $45K here vs. $80K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for aircraft mechanics and service technicians?
West Virginia pays $45K median vs. the U.S. average of $80K — that’s -43%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — below the national median.
How much do aircraft mechanics and service technicians make in West Virginia?
The median is $45,470 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,220, and experienced aircraft mechanics and service technicians can clear $78,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,090/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 32.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a aircraft mechanics and service technicians salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median aircraft mechanics and service technicians salary is worth about $51,073 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do aircraft mechanics and service technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.