Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 50%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 50% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 138,090 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $79,870 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Aircraft Maintainer, Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech), Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Restorer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components | 8% | 55% to 85% | |
| Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools | 5% | 3% to 30% | |
| Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation | 4% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills aircraft mechanics and service technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,510
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists34% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,770
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $109,910
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,120
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of aircraft mechanics and service technicians?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of aircraft mechanics and service technicians today and 50% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-3011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/aircraft-mechanics-and-service-technicians/