Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary in the United States

How much does an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III in the United States is $75,125 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,008
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,945 to $83,962
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,498
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salaries

An Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Airframe and Engine Mechanic I (0-1 years): $55,715
  • Airframe and Engine Mechanic II (1-3 years): $62,746
  • Airframe and Engine Mechanic III (3-5 years): $75,125
  • Airframe and Engine Mechanic Supervisor (5+ years): $98,936
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Airframe and Engine Mechanic I0-1 years$55,715
Airframe and Engine Mechanic II1-3 years$62,746
Airframe and Engine Mechanic III3-5 years$75,125
Airframe and Engine Mechanic Supervisor5+ years$98,936
View as Graph

How Do Airframe and Engine Mechanic IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Airframe and Engine Mechanic IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,178.
  • California: $82,863.
  • Massachusetts: $81,759.

Top Paying Cities for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $94,755
  • San Francisco: $93,718
  • Oakland: $91,743

What Skills Can Increase an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 5.56% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 5.56% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
  • Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.78% Job Postings): Preventive maintenance is the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future. Put simply, it's about fixing things before they break.
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 5.56%
Equipment Operation 5.56%
Preventive Maintenance 2.78%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's salary.

  • Equipment Servicing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Calibration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Equipment Servicing $80,384
7%
Team Management $79,633
6%
Calibration $78,881
5%
Get Latest Data

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $83,666. While startup companies pay approximate $70,826.

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $70,826
Growth Stage 51~500 $74,884
Established 501~5000 $80,807
Enterprise 5000+ $83,666

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Airframe and Engine Mechanic III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Airframe and Engine Mechanic positions in Aerospace & Defense or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Airframe and Engine Mechanic III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$82,638$40.010%
MFG Durable$78,881$38.05%

How Education impacts an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Airframe and Engine Mechanic III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,339 and $86,456.

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.3%
High School 43.8%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 3.1%
View as Graph

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$66,945
Average $75,125/year
$83,962
$5,579
Average $6,260/month
$6,997
$1,287
Average $1,445/week
$1,615
$32
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,962 $6,997 $1,615 $40
Average $75,125 $6,260 $1,445 $36
25th Percentile $66,945 $5,579 $1,287 $32

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Salary Growth & Career Path

Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

Next Role

For an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Airframe and Engine Mechanic Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $98,936 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

Here are companies hiring for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Airframe and Engine Mechanic III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Airframe and Engine Mechanic III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Airframe and Engine Mechanic III

1. Where can an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III earn the most?

An Airframe and Engine Mechanic III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Airframe and Engine Mechanic III is $94,755.

2. What is the highest pay for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III?

The highest pay for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III is $92,008.

3. What is the lowest pay for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III?

The lowest pay for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III is $59,498.

4. What are the responsibilities of Airframe and Engine Mechanic III?

Maintains, repairs, and troubleshoots aircraft components to ensure safe and reliable performance. Conducts routine servicing to optimize the lifetime of aircraft airframe and engine components according to internal procedures, guidelines, and technical handbooks. Utilizes a variety of tools and equipment to diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical issues and determine malfunctioning parts of aircraft engines and assemblies. Follows company protocols to maintain safety, cleanliness, and organization within the hangar or workshop. Recommends part changes or adjustments to ensure compliance with all federal aviation regulations, standards, and specifications. Maintains accurate records of services and procedures performed and documents and reports issues, concerns, and unusual wear or damage of parts. Requires a high school diploma. Requires FAA Airframe (A) and Powerplant (P) Mechanic License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Airframe and Engine Mechanic III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job