Aircraft maintenance and related trades: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time aircraft maintenance and related trades in the UK earned a median £45,779 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 17% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 90th of 382 occupations on this measure.
Median full-time pay: women £31,784 a year, men £46,549 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 13,000 employee jobs, 92% full-time.
Since 2021 the median has risen 32.6% (from £34,535), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 17,600 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | – | £656.90 | – | – | £637.80 | £17.44 |
| 20th percentile | £34,269 | £703.90 | £19.20 | £34,044 | £695.10 | £19.20 |
| 25th percentile | £36,379 | £723.80 | £19.45 | £36,193 | £720.10 | £19.48 |
| 30th percentile | £38,251 | £766.50 | £20.26 | £37,104 | £749.60 | £20.87 |
| 40th percentile | £43,038 | £818.80 | £22.24 | £42,070 | £815.50 | £22.67 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £45,779 | £899.20 | £24.02 | £44,704 | £892.00 | £24.39 |
| 60th percentile | £47,393* | £949.20 | £25.71 | £47,175 | £948.10 | £25.62 |
| 70th percentile | £50,417* | £995.90* | £26.49* | – | £985.20* | £26.45 |
| 75th percentile | – | £1,021.50* | £27.23* | – | £1,015.20* | £27.22* |
| Mean | £49,529 | £961.50 | £25.42 | £48,809 | £946.10 | £25.44 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £34,535* | £622.80* | £17.86* | £34,535* | £622.10 | 6* |
| 2022 revised | £36,415 | £697.20 | £19.59 | £34,815 | £690.40 | 10* |
| 2023 revised | £44,094 | £775.20 | £21.51 | £43,526 | £761.20 | 9* |
| 2024 revised | £44,979 | £843.20 | £22.24 | £44,732 | £837.40 | 11* |
| 2025 provisional | £45,779 | £899.20 | £24.02 | £44,704 | £892.00 | 13* |
Aircraft maintenance and related trades by region
UK: 17,600 (± 5,100), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What aircraft maintenance and related trades do
Aircraft maintenance and related trades fit, service, repair and overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies. Licensed aircraft engineers are coded to Unit Group 3113. (ONS SOC 2020, 5234)
Also covers: aeronautical engineer, aircraft electrician, aircraft engineer, aircraft fitter, aircraft mechanic, maintenance engineer (aircraft), aero engineer, aircraft refurbisher, airframe fitter, airline engineer, helicopter engineer, mechanic (aircraft), aero engine fitter, air frame fitter, aircraft engine dismantler, aircraft instrument fitter, aircraft maintenance engineer and aircraft support fitter (28 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Examines drawings, manuals and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequence of operations
- Fits and assembles parts and/or metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances to make aircraft engines
- Replaces engine components or complete engines, installs and tests electrical and electronic components and systems in aircraft
- Examines and inspects airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems
- Maintains, repairs and rebuilds aircraft structures, functional components, and parts
- Maintains comprehensive repair logs
Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades or a BTEC/SQA award. Apprenticeships in Engineering Maintenance at level 3 are available. NVQs/SVQs are available at level 2 and 3.
Related
Vehicle trades (median £37,917) · Vehicle paint technicians · Boat and ship builders and repairers · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026