Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 49-3011.00
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.19
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 31 hidden tasks38 rated tasks · 7 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (18.4%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.O*NET Task ID 9946 | 1.0 |
Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.O*NET Task ID 9948 | 1.0 |
Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.O*NET Task ID 9960 | 1.0 |
Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.O*NET Task ID 9951 | 0.5 |
Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.O*NET Task ID 9968 | 0.5 |
Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.O*NET Task ID 9977 | 0.5 |
Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.O*NET Task ID 9978 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (38)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components. | Core |
| Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation. | Core |
| Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance. | Core |
| Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations. | Core |
| Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems. | Core |
| Inspect airframes for wear or other defects. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Measure the tension of control cables. | Core |
| Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment. | Core |
| Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments. | Core |
| Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools. | Core |
| Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters. | Core |
| Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination. | Core |
| Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft. | Core |
| Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes. | Core |
| Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications. | Core |
| Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches. | Core |
| Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules. | Core |
| Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding. | Core |
| Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts. | Core |
| Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft. | Core |
| Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks. | Core |
| Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment. | Core |
| Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders. | Core |
| Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches. | Core |
| Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft. | Core |
| Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts. | Core |
| Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels. | Core |
| Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas. | Core |
| Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment. | Core |
| Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves. | Core |
| Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections. | Core |
| Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools. | Supplemental |
| Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces. | Supplemental |
| Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment. | Supplemental |
| Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts. | Supplemental |
| Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment. | Supplemental |
| Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks. | Supplemental |
0.23/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation. | E0 none |
| Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations. | E0 none |
| Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems. | E0 none |
| Inspect airframes for wear or other defects. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| 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. | E0 none |
| Measure the tension of control cables. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment. | E0 none |
| Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools. | E0 none |
| Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft. | E0 none |
| Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications. | E0 none |
| Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts. | E0 none |
| Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks. | E0 none |
| Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections. | E0 none |
| Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft. | E0 none |
| Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels. | E0 none |
| Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment. | E0 none |
| Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts. | E0 none |
| Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 140K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 148K
- Change (2025–35)
- +5.4%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $79,870
- Typical education needed for entry
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75211 | 비행기 정비원 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 75212 | 헬리콥터 정비원 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 7232Aircraft Engine Mechanics and Repairers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers fit, service, repair and overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as airframes, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Tasks
- (a) fitting, examining, testing and servicing aircraft engines;
- (b) replacing engine components or complete engines;
- (c) examining and inspecting airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems;
- (d) maintaining, repairing, overhauling, modifying and testing aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems;
- (e) reading and interpreting manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components;
- (f) maintaining, repairing and rebuilding aircraft structures, functional components and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals;
- (g) inspecting completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation;
- (h) maintaining repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance;
- (i) installing and testing electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems in aircraft;
- (j) connecting components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refuelling systems.
Example occupations
Aeromechanic · Aircraft engine fitter · Aircraft maintenance engineer (airframes) · Aircraft maintenance engineer (engines) · Aircraft maintenance supervisor · Aircraft mechanic · Aircraft restorer · Aircraft service technician · Airframe and power plant mechanic · Airframe mechanic · Aviation maintenance technician · Helicopter mechanic · Jet engine mechanic · Pneudraulic systems mechanic (aircraft) · Powerplant mechanic (aircraft) · Rocket engine component mechanic
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- aircraft maintenance technicianESCO 7232.5Same scope
Aircraft maintenance technicians perform preventive maintenance to aircrafts, aircrafts components, engines and assemblies, such as airframes and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They perform inspections following strict protocols and aviation laws.
- aerospace engineering technicianESCO 3115.1.1This occupation is narrower
Aerospace engineering technicians work with aerospace engineers to operate, maintain and test equipment used on aircraft and spacecraft. They review blueprints and instructions to determine test specifications and procedures. They use software to make sure that parts of a spacecraft or aircraft are functioning properly. They record test procedures and results, and make recommendations for changes.
- avionics technicianESCO 7421.2This occupation is narrower
Avionics technicians install, test, inspect and adjust electrical and electronic equipment such as navigation, communication and flight control systems in aircraft and spacecraft. They carry out maintenance and repair work. They perform functional tests, diagnose problems and take corrective action.
- aircraft engine testerESCO 3115.1.3This occupation is broader
Aircraft engine testers test the performance of all engines used for aircraft in specialised facilities such as laboratories.They position or give directions to workers positioning engines on the test stand. They use hand tools and machinery to position and connect the engine to the test stand. They use computerised equipment to enter, read and record test data such as temperature, speed, fuel consumption, oil and exhaust pressure.
- aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technicianESCO 7232.3This occupation is broader
Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technicians perform overhaul, maintenance and repair work on gas turbine engines. They disassemble, inspect, clean, repair and reassemble the engines using engine-specific tooling.
- aircraft assemblerESCO 8211.1Overlapping, not the same
Aircraft assemblers use hand tools, power tools and other equipment such as CNC machines or robots to construct, fit and install prefabricated parts to manufacture fixed or rotary wing aircrafts and aircraft subassemblies such as flight controls, aircraft skins, rigging and other mechanical systems etc. They read and interpret blueprints. They operate control systems to determine functional performance of the assemblies and adjust accordingly.
- aircraft engine assemblerESCO 8211.1.1Overlapping, not the same
Aircraft engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form aircraft engines such as lightweight piston engines and gas turbines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.
- aircraft engine inspectorESCO 3115.1.2Overlapping, not the same
Aircraft engine inspectors inspect all types of engines used for aircrafts in factories to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations. They conduct routine, post-overhaul, pre-availability and post-casualty inspections. They provide documentation for repair activities and technical support to maintenance and repair centres. They review administrative records, analyse the operating performance of engines and report their findings.
- aircraft engine specialistESCO 7232.2Overlapping, not the same
Aircraft engine specialists advise on maintaining procedures to engines of aircrafts and helicopters. They perform operability tests to components and parts of aircrafts to diagnose suitability for usage and possible operations to improve performance. They interpret and provide support to understand the technical specifications given by manufacturers for application at the airport's premises.
- aircraft maintenance engineerESCO 3153.1Overlapping, not the same
Aircraft maintenance engineers make preflight and postflight inspections, adjustments, and minor repairs to ensure safe and sound performance of aircrafts. They inspect aircraft prior to takeoff to detect malfunctions such as oil leaks, electrical or hydraulic problems. They verify passenger and cargo distribution and amount of fuel to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| I1602 | Mécanicien / Mécanicienne avion | Same scopeprovisional |
| I1635 | Mécanicien / Mécanicienne structure avion | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| I1636 | Mécanicien / Mécanicienne cabine | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 7402 | Mecánicos y ajustadores de motores de avión | Same scopeprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 25232 | Berufe in der Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 554 | 輸送機械整備・修理従事者（自動車を除く） | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources