This ‘hidden’ career path is in dire need of more workers—and it can pay Gen Z over $300,000 with no degree required
Six-figure salaries are within reach for Gen Z, but only if they’re willing to brave extreme weather, noisy tarmacs, and the smell of jet fumes.
The aviation industry faces a critical shortage of skilled technicians, with 83% of technicians expected to retire or leave the profession globally in the next decade. This shortage is expected to reach 416,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians worldwide by 2034. Jason Pfaff, CEO of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, notes that the occupation has been largely overlooked and undervalued, contributing to the shortage.
AIM offers 21-month training programs that cost significantly less than a four-year degree, and upon passing the FAA Airframe and Powerplant exams, graduates become highly sought-after professionals in the aerospace sector. The median salary for aviation maintenance technicians in the U.S. is around $79,000, but with overtime and career progression, earnings can exceed $300,000.
Pittsburgh International Airport, for instance, expects to double its aviation maintenance positions from 360 to 600 within a year, and the broader shortage of skilled trade workers extends beyond aviation, affecting industries like construction, manufacturing, and tech. Gen Z appears to be taking notice, with enrollment in trade-focused institutions increasing by nearly 20% between 2020 and 2025, and AIM reporting a 40% surge in Gen Z applications in recent years.
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