What is the job market/salary range available for graduates from the Aviation Systems Technology program?
Nationwide, there is a shortage of qualified mechanics, and that shortage is predicted to last for most of this next decade. Major employers include Triad International Maintenance Corp. (TIMCO), the General Electric Jet Engine Facility in Durham, NC, and US Airways in Charlotte, NC. In addition, a number of local fixed base operators (Atlantic Aero, Piedmont-Hawthorne Aviation Services, Atlantic Aero, Cessna Citation, and others) as well as companies like US Propeller and several locally based airlines currently employ our graduates. Starting pay is harder to pin down, since it depends on the employer and the particular position, but entry level pay for fully qualified mechanics is usually in the $12-$14/hour range. Continued shortages may drive wages up in the near future, and mechanics with two or more years of experience can earn significantly more. It’s worth noting that many of these employers hire students in training as full and part-time workers.
