Aviation Inspectors
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Median pay: $92,100/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 2,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.
• Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
• Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments.
• Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
• Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.
• Examine landing gear, tires, and exteriors of fuselage, wings, and engines for evidence of damage or corrosion and the need for repairs.
• Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment.
• Start aircraft and observe gauges, meters, and other instruments to detect evidence of malfunctions.
What's the median pay for Aviation Inspectors?
The median pay for Aviation Inspectors is $92,100 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Aviation Inspectors?
Employment for Aviation Inspectors is projected to change +1.7% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Aviation Inspectors?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Aviation Inspectors?
About 2,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.