Aircraft Mechanic Pay by State

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

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

Wisconsin is quietly a business-jet service state — Gulfstream runs a major service center in Appleton, Milwaukee carries the airline stations, and Oshkosh hosts EAA AirVenture, the biggest aviation gathering on earth, every summer. GA runs deep in this state's blood.

Wisconsin Aircraft Mechanic Pay Range

$50-98k

⚙ Bizav service centers & OT 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$74k

Lead / Inspector (IA)$100k+

Before You Decide

Is A&P School Worth It vs College?

See how a Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

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

Gulfstream Aerospace (Appleton Service Center)★ 4.2 (11 reviews)

Air Wisconsin (Appleton HQ)★ 3.6 (8 reviews)

A&P Schools & Training in Wisconsin

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.

Fox Valley Technical CollegeAviation Maintenance (Part 147) — Oshkosh/Appleton

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin?

Aircraft mechanics in Wisconsin earn roughly $50-98k depending on employer and experience. New A&Ps start around $50k, experienced mechanics reach $74k, and lead mechanics or inspectors (IA) at airlines and cargo carriers clear $100k+ with license premiums and shift differentials. Bizav service centers & OT push higher.

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

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 Wisconsin?

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 Wisconsin aircraft mechanics train and work?

A&P and aviation maintenance programs in Wisconsin include Fox Valley Technical College. Hiring nearby: Gulfstream Aerospace (Appleton Service Center), Air Wisconsin (Appleton HQ).