Aircraft Mechanic Pay by State

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Real A&P pay, Part 147 schools, and how to start — from US Trade Route, built by a working tradesman. Updated July 2026.

Memphis is the home of FedEx — the largest cargo airline on the planet — and its SuperHub maintenance operation is one of the biggest single A&P employers anywhere, with cargo-scale pay to match. Nashville's fast-growing airport and the state's bizav scene add a second lane.

Tennessee Aircraft Mechanic Pay Range

$50-105k

⚙ FedEx Memphis premiums push higher

The A&P Pay Ladder

Aircraft mechanic pay climbs with your certificate and your seat. New A&Ps start on the line or in the hangar; experienced mechanics add type experience and shift premiums; the top of the ladder is lead positions and the Inspection Authorization (IA) — and at airlines and cargo carriers, license premiums and union scale stack on top of all of it.

New A&P Mechanic$50k

Experienced A&P$77k

Lead / Inspector (IA)$108k+

Before You Decide

Is A&P School Worth It vs College?

See how a Tennessee aircraft mechanic career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.

Run the Wealth Calculator → See the pay map →

Who Hires Aircraft Mechanics in Tennessee

Airlines, MRO shops, cargo carriers, manufacturers, and business-aviation service centers are where A&Ps work — and in Tennessee, these are the names mechanics know, based on reviews from mechanics in the field.

FedEx Express (MEM SuperHub)★ 4.2 (20 reviews)

Southwest Airlines (BNA)★ 4.0 (9 reviews)

A&P Schools & Training in Tennessee

The standard route is an FAA Part 147 school — 12-24 months, roughly 1,900 curriculum hours, typically $20-50k (community-college programs run far less). Most Part 147 schools accept the GI Bill. Rosters change — always confirm a school's current programs directly.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — MemphisAviation Maintenance (Part 147) at Memphis Int'l

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Tennessee

The path is federal, applied locally: graduate an FAA Part 147 program (or document 30 months of hands-on experience — the route most military mechanics use), then pass the FAA written, oral, and practical exams for the Airframe and Powerplant ratings. That A&P certificate is a federal license good in all 50 states — no four-year degree at any step.

For the complete step-by-step — costs, the experience route, and what the exams cover — read our full guide to becoming an aircraft mechanic. Thinking about the cockpit instead? See the pilot guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do aircraft mechanics make in Tennessee?

Aircraft mechanics in Tennessee earn roughly $50-105k depending on employer and experience. New A&Ps start around $50k, experienced mechanics reach $77k, and lead mechanics or inspectors (IA) at airlines and cargo carriers clear $108k+ with license premiums and shift differentials. FedEx Memphis premiums push higher.

How long does it take to become an aircraft mechanic in Tennessee?

The standard route is an FAA Part 147 school — 12-24 months and roughly 1,900 curriculum hours — then the FAA written, oral, and practical exams for the Airframe and Powerplant ratings. The alternative is documenting 30 months of hands-on experience, the path most military mechanics use.

Do you need a degree to be an aircraft mechanic in Tennessee?

No. The A&P is a federal certificate, not a degree — you qualify through a Part 147 school (typically $20-50k, far less at community colleges) or documented experience, then pass the FAA exams. Most Part 147 schools accept the GI Bill.

Where do Tennessee aircraft mechanics train and work?

A&P and aviation maintenance programs in Tennessee include Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Memphis. Hiring nearby: FedEx Express (MEM SuperHub), Southwest Airlines (BNA).