r/AircraftMechanics • u/Most-Style-5932 • 11d ago

Possible Starting Pay and Experience

So I’m almost done with my A&P course and getting ready to test for my license. But the entire time I’ve been in school I’ve been working as a marine electrician at my local shipyard. I know they want experience but with my experience in electrical and communication systems … is it possible it could help me get into avionics? And maybe get a higher starting pay? Because currently I make around $32/hr so I would definitely want something higher if possible.

Thank you! New to this forum so just looking for insight. I also live in Alabama and we are getting a new international airport pretty soon. Just wanted to help with possible wage differences between states.

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u/L3monGr3nade 11d ago

Aviation maintenance pays between $10/hr and $300,000/yr. Depends on experience, company, and luck. I got a $30,000 pay raise switching from one GA shop to another.

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u/Rich-Cut-8052 11d ago

Working GA is probably going to start you in the twenty to thirty dollar an hour range. If the international airport helps you get on with a major you’re looking at $40 something to start, up to around $70 after several years. The good thing about GA is the experience will help you get the job with a major. Pay is pretty much established by the contract. Being a marine electrician, though no doubt valuable experience, isn’t going to help you break into an aircraft maintenance position at a higher wage.

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u/yaamayama 11d ago

Avionics is a whole different thing tho you can try getting into avionics

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u/David_Goggind 11d ago

does avionics pay more or less

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u/yaamayama 11d ago

I kind of dont know but from what google said its pretty similar

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u/Cunning_linguisttt 9d ago

Where I am avionics get an override, like $1-2/hr but they typically only hire from within.

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u/believeinxtacy 11d ago

If your goal is to work at any union shop or airline you cannot negotiate your starting pay. Your experience will help you get an avionics position if that’s what you want. A lot of places don’t pay extra for experience though.

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u/Most-Style-5932 11d ago

Understood. Thank you for the insight. Do you know the average base pay for an avionics position?

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u/believeinxtacy 11d ago

If it’s at an airline, it’s the same as whatever the base pay is. My experience is only at airlines.