LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The U.S. aviation industry is grappling with a significant labor crisis as the demand for skilled technicians continues to soar. Recent figures from a joint report by the Aviation Technician Education Council and Oliver Wyman reveal that the average age of a certified aircraft mechanic in the United States is 54. Alarmingly, 40% of these professionals are over the age of 60. As the industry heads towards an anticipated shortage of approximately 25,000 aircraft technicians by 2028, experts and industry leaders are sounding the alarm about a talent deficiency that threatens to undermine the sector’s future.
The aviation field, which was poised for a growth surge prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw its trajectory upended with the virus’s onset. Major companies implemented layoffs and buyouts, stripping the workforce of experienced personnel. David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer at American Airlines, noted, “A lot of them were hired in the ’80s and early ’90s. You just start doing some math, and you start saying at some point they’re going to retire.” The industry’s struggle is magnified by the dual pressures of an aging workforce and tapering interest from younger generations in choosing aviation careers.
In Lafayette, Indiana, GE Aerospace’s engine manufacturing hub reflects these challenges head-on. Christian Meisner, GE Aerospace’s Chief Human Resources Officer, elaborated on the situation, saying that while the company has invested in retaining its workforce, the abrupt halt in hiring during the pandemic resulted in a significant talent drain. As GE ramped up production again, it faced the monumental task of replenishing a workforce that had seen a severe attrition rate.
The industry offers competitive salaries to attract new talent; in Lafayette, experienced workers typically receive annual base pay between $80,000 and $90,000, while median earnings for aircraft technicians hovered around $79,140 in 2024. Comparatively, this exceeds the national median income of $49,500, underscoring the economic importance of these roles. Seymour emphasizes that with salary adjustments, technicians at American Airlines could see their earnings rise to $130,000 as they advance through the pay scale, highlighting both the economic importance and rising expectations within the sector.
Yet, while pay has improved, it has not fully resolved recruitment challenges. Many experts suggest that the allure of higher worth manufacturing roles, such as those in aerospace, must be contrasted with sectors that have historically offered less competitive wages but have also resulted in job loss. “We need to increase wages,” asserted Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association. She warned that the repercussions of the workforce shortage will be felt broadly, implicating not only the aerospace sector but also the construction industry and beyond.
Concerns extend beyond just technicians. A shortage of air traffic controllers has been underscored by the Trump administration’s acknowledgment of the need to address this critical gap—pointing to broader implications for airline safety and operational efficiency. The manufacturing sector, encompassing about 9% of U.S. employment, has long been viewed through a lens of importance, but experts like Gordon Hanson, a Harvard professor of urban policy, argue that geographic limitations among workers hinder the industry’s recovery and growth.
Current U.S. unemployment rates maintained a steady 4.2% as of May 2024, presenting an environment where labor market dynamics are pivotal. Nonetheless, many manufacturing positions struggle to attract employees due to local labor market constraints. These issues compel businesses to innovate recruitment strategies to engage and inform potential workers about high-tech career opportunities in aerospace.
Upcoming generations are beginning to acknowledge the critical need for skilled labor in aviation, a sentiment echoed at institutions such as Aviation High School in Queens, New York. The school offers students a focused curriculum that includes the option to earn FAA licensing while still in high school, recognizing the pressing demand for aircraft maintenance professionals. Principal Steven Jackson reported an increase in applications this year, emphasizing the trend towards high-demand careers straight out of school.
Students at Aviation High are not simply preparing for jobs; they are seeking meaningful careers within an industry steeped in tradition yet evolving rapidly through technological advancements. Sam Mucciardi, a senior, exemplifies this new wave of students aspiring to join the industry, reflecting an evolving mindset among young people considering alternatives to traditional four-year degrees.
In response to these developments, large companies like American Airlines are collaborating with educational institutions to broaden recruitment pipelines. These initiatives aim to promote the aviation field as an enticing career path—not the outdated perception of manufacturing but as a modern, high-tech vocation. GE’s Meisner highlighted the necessity of changing the narrative around aerospace careers: “It is getting into high schools and showing that a career in aerospace as an engineer or frankly, on a production floor, is not your grandparents’ manufacturing.”
This transformation is evident among recent graduates like Krystal Godinez, who completed her apprenticeship at GE. Drawing from her previous experience in the automotive industry, Godinez shared a sense of pride in her work, underscoring the safety implications and significance of her contributions to aviation maintenance.
American Airlines’ Seymour holds an optimistic outlook for the future workforce, noting that younger individuals increasingly desire hands-on roles. As companies continue to make strides in recruitment and retention strategies, the industry’s commitment to innovation and adaptation remains crucial to meeting the growing demand for skilled personnel. While challenges persist, the concerted efforts of education sectors and industry leaders signal a hopeful path toward addressing labor shortages in the U.S. aviation industry.