As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Airframe and Engine Mechanic I in California is $61,447 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, an Airframe and Engine Mechanic I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Airframe and Engine Mechanic I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,012 | $6,001 | $1,385 | $35 |
| Average | $61,447 | $5,121 | $1,182 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,781 | $4,482 | $1,034 | $26 |
Total Aerospace Services - San Francisco, CA
HRU Technical Resources - Mojave, CA
ITNOVA, LLC - Camp Pendleton, CA
ITNOVA, LLC - Camp Pendleton, CA
An Airframe and Engine Mechanic I'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Airframe and Engine Mechanic I'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe and Engine Mechanic I | 0-1 years | $61,447 |
| Airframe and Engine Mechanic II | 1-3 years | $69,211 |
| Airframe and Engine Mechanic III | 3-5 years | $82,858 |
| Airframe and Engine Mechanic Supervisor | 5+ years | $109,103 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Airframe and Engine Mechanic I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,363. While startup companies pay approximate $57,853.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $57,853 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $61,170 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $66,027 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $68,363 |
For Airframe and Engine Mechanic I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Airframe and Engine Mechanic positions in Transportation or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Airframe and Engine Mechanic I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $92,171 | $44.0 | 50% |
| Business Services | $73,736 | $35.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Airframe and Engine Mechanic I'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $72,012 | $6,001 | $1,385 | $35 |
| Average | $61,447 | $5,121 | $1,182 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,781 | $4,482 | $1,034 | $26 |
For an Airframe and Engine Mechanic I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Airframe and Engine Mechanic II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $69,211 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Airframe and Engine Mechanic I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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