How Many Aviation Mechanic Jobs Open Each Year?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of 13,100 job openings for aircraft mechanics, service technicians, and avionics technicians each year from 2024 to 2034. The majority of these openings are expected to come from replacing workers who retire or leave the occupation — not from newly created positions. In 2024, the FAA issued 9,013 new mechanic certificates, leaving an estimated gap of roughly 4,000 positions that new entrants alone cannot fill.

The 13,100 figure combines both aircraft mechanics (SOC 49-3011) and avionics technicians (SOC 49-2091). Even as A&P school enrollment rose 9% in 2024 and new certificate issuance hit its second-highest level on record, annual supply still falls short of projected demand. That gap is expected to persist through the decade as retirements accelerate and fleet growth increases maintenance requirements.