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Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Airplane Mechanic, Mechanic, Service Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Aircraft maintenance technicians work on aircraft and aircraft systems. They make sure the aircraft and its components are in airworthy condition. They maintain:
Maintenance can be categorized into line work or heavy work. In line or ramp work, the aircraft undergoes lighter maintenance tasks. It can stay in operation. These tasks have a quick turnaround time, up to overnight. In heavy work, the aircraft undergoes more thorough maintenance checks. It goes out of operation and can remain in the hangar for days or weeks.
Duties vary depending on the employer. In general, aircraft maintenance technicians:
Aircraft maintenance technicians must be able to work to the highest safety standards.
Aircraft maintenance technicians work indoors in hangars or shops when doing heavy maintenance. They work on outdoor airport ramps when performing light maintenance.
They need to use safety equipment and wear safety clothing. They may be exposed to harsh weather, fumes, or other hazards. Their work area may be noisy. Ear protection is required when systems are running. At times, they work in awkward positions or on scaffolds. They use hoists to move large, heavy objects. Working quickly while observing safety standards can be stressful.
Aircraft maintenance technicians work shifts that may include evenings or nights. At these times, aircraft are less likely to be in use. Shift work, overtime, and on-call work are common. Some technicians work in remote locations for long periods.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Aircraft mechanics
2023 OaSIS: 72404.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Aircraft maintenance technicians need:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 85 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and Oct 03, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Repair and overhaul aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems | 54 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 53 |
| Type of Industry Experience: Repair and overhaul facility | 51 |
| Mechanical Maintenance and Repair Specialization: Aircraft maintenance - general | 50 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 50 |
| Attention to detail | 49 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 48 |
| Tasks: Perform and document routine maintenance | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 46 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 46 |
Aircraft maintenance technicians must be high school graduates. They must also have related post-secondary education approved by the Government of Canada. Students can choose either:
Many companies provide training to help employees upgrade and update their qualifications. For example, technicians can train to become licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (AME). Engineers certify that the work done on aircraft meets all standards.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating aircraft maintenance technicians in Alberta.
However, a technician can become a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (AME). AMEs are federally regulated. To qualify, applicants must:
For detailed information, visit the Government of Canada website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Aircraft maintenance technicians may work for:
Aircraft maintenance technicians must supply their own hand tools. The employer usually provides special tools and equipment.
Employers may favour employees who are willing to move.
Some technicians advance to become supervisors or managers in approved maintenance organizations. Others work as quality control inspectors or sales reps for aeronautical products.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
2016 NOC: 7315
78.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for aircraft maintenance technicians depend on factors such as location, business size, and the type and quality of equipment and aircraft.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.50 | $40.87 | $27.65 | $23.99 |
| Overall | $26.00 | $50.96 | $38.42 | $36.74 |
| Top | $32.00 | $58.28 | $49.56 | $53.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,018 |
|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | $84,513 |
| Public Administration | $105,772 |
Aviation, Government of Canada website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) website: www.avaerocouncil.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
