Best States for Aircraft Mechanic Jobs in 2026
Where you work as an A&P mechanic matters as much as who you work for. Some states have dense clusters of airlines, MROs, and corporate flight departments. Others have sparse aviation activity. Location determines job availability, pay, cost of living, and career growth.
Here are the best states for aircraft mechanics in 2026.
Top 10 States for A&P Mechanic Jobs
1. Texas
Key employers: American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Envoy Air, L3Harris, ST Engineering (San Antonio), numerous Part 135 operators and corporate departments.
2. Florida
Key employers: AAR (Miami), HAECO, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Atlas Air, numerous MROs and Part 145 shops.
3. Georgia
Key employers: Delta TechOps (ATL), Delta Air Lines, Gulfstream Aerospace (Savannah), corporate operators.
4. Oklahoma
Key employers: American Airlines (Tulsa), AAR, Northrop Grumman, Tinker AFB, Spirit AeroSystems.
5. North Carolina
Key employers: American Airlines, PSA Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, HAECO Americas (GRO), Honda Aircraft.
6. California
Key employers: United Airlines, Southwest, various MROs, corporate flight departments, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman.
7. Connecticut
Key employers: Pratt & Whitney (East Hartford), Sikorsky, Collins Aerospace, StandardAero.
8. Arizona
Key employers: Mesa Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing (Apache production), Pinal Airpark (Marana).
9. Kansas
Key employers: Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier, NetJets service center, numerous GA maintenance shops.
10. Indiana
Key employers: AAR (IND), Rolls-Royce, Republic Airways, FedEx.
Best States by Specialty
| Specialty | Best States |
|---|---|
| Airline line maintenance | TX, GA, IL, CO, NC |
| Heavy maintenance (MRO) | OK, FL, NC, GA, TX |
| Engine overhaul | CT, IN, TX, OH |
| Corporate aviation | TX, NJ, CT, FL, CA |
| General aviation | FL, TX, AZ, CA, KS |
| Defense/military | OK, CA, TX, WA, CT |
| Helicopter maintenance | TX, LA, OK, AK |
Salary vs. Cost of Living
| State | Avg A&P Salary | Cost of Living | Adjusted Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $75,000 | Low | Excellent |
| Oklahoma | $68,000 | Very Low | Excellent |
| Georgia | $73,000 | Low | Very Good |
| North Carolina | $70,000 | Low | Very Good |
| Florida | $71,000 | Moderate | Good |
| Indiana | $67,000 | Low | Good |
| Kansas | $66,000 | Very Low | Very Good |
| California | $85,000 | Very High | Moderate |
| Connecticut | $88,000 | High | Good |
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