From CNBC: 2025-06-08 08:00:00

President Donald Trump aims to boost manufacturing jobs in the U.S., but the aviation industry faces a shortage of skilled workers. The average age of certified aircraft mechanics is 54, with a projected shortage of 25,000 technicians by 2028. To attract younger talent, airlines and manufacturers are increasing efforts to fill these roles.

GE Aerospace and Safran, major engine manufacturers for Boeing and Airbus, are ramping up hiring to address the retirement wave and talent loss caused by Covid. Base pay at GE’s engine plant in Indiana averages $80,000 to $90,000 a year. Median pay for aircraft technicians in the U.S. is $79,140 annually, with 13,400 job openings projected each year.

Aircraft technicians are in high demand, with wages increasing in recent years. American Airlines COO David Seymour noted that technicians at the carrier could earn $130,000 a year at the top of their pay scale in nine years. The impending worker shortage extends beyond technicians to include air traffic controllers, prompting efforts to raise wages and increase hiring.

The aviation industry plays a crucial role in the U.S. economy, with a shortage of skilled workers impacting growth. Companies like GE Aerospace are focusing on attracting younger talent to address the retirement wave and talent loss. Efforts to increase wages and ramp up hiring aim to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the aviation sector.

Students at Aviation High School in Queens, New York, are considering careers in aviation maintenance, bypassing traditional four-year college degrees for FAA licenses. The school offers training to help students earn their licenses, with increasing interest from airlines for skilled workers. Efforts to raise awareness about aviation careers are being made in high schools and even junior highs to attract younger talent.



Read more at CNBC: Trump touts manufacturing jobs, but aviation workers are hard to hire