Aircraft Mechanic Pay by State
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Virginia (2026)
Real A&P pay, Part 147 schools, and how to start — from US Trade Route, built by a working tradesman. Updated July 2026.
Virginia runs two aviation economies at once: the airline world at Dulles and National, and the defense-aviation world across Hampton Roads — Navy aircraft, contractor maintenance, and shipboard aviation support. The Aviation Institute of Maintenance is headquartered here and feeds both.
Virginia Aircraft Mechanic Pay Range
$52-102k
⚙ Dulles ops & defense aviation 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$52k
Experienced A&P$76k
Lead / Inspector (IA)$104k+
Before You Decide
Is A&P School Worth It vs College?
See how a Virginia aircraft mechanic career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.
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Who Hires Aircraft Mechanics in Virginia
Airlines, MRO shops, cargo carriers, manufacturers, and business-aviation service centers are where A&Ps work — and in Virginia, these are the names mechanics know, based on reviews from mechanics in the field.
United Airlines (IAD)★ 4.0 (12 reviews)
Volga-Dnepr / cargo IAD★ 3.7 (5 reviews)
Defense contractors — Hampton Roads★ 4.1 (10 reviews)
A&P Schools & Training in Virginia
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.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance — Norfolk & ManassasFAA Part 147 A&P (AIM HQ state)
Liberty UniversitySchool of Aeronautics — maintenance track, Lynchburg
How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Virginia
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 Virginia?
Aircraft mechanics in Virginia earn roughly $52-102k depending on employer and experience. New A&Ps start around $52k, experienced mechanics reach $76k, and lead mechanics or inspectors (IA) at airlines and cargo carriers clear $104k+ with license premiums and shift differentials. Dulles ops & defense aviation push higher.
How long does it take to become an aircraft mechanic in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
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 Virginia aircraft mechanics train and work?
A&P and aviation maintenance programs in Virginia include Aviation Institute of Maintenance — Norfolk & Manassas and Liberty University. Hiring nearby: United Airlines (IAD), Volga-Dnepr / cargo IAD, Defense contractors — Hampton Roads.