What is the AMT supply problem and HOW might INDUSTRY address it ???

JDA Aviation Technology Solutions

ARSA sponsored the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition (see below) where both AMT holders and candidates showed the professional skills in a number of competitions judged by supervisors and managers, presumably. Though the Orlando Convention Center was filled with the competitors and the folks attending Aviation Week’s MRO Americas , the mass needs to GROW FAST and INCREASE TECHNICAL SKILLS.A lots been written, including here,[1] about the urgent need for Aviation Mechanic Technicians. Efforts expended to catch the prospective mechanics are not ADEQUATE. The next section deals with supply and demand; based on those analyses, the reasons for inadequate throughput are identified. The last paragraphs suggest a novel solution- good or bad idea?

Capacity to add AMTs to the US aviation sector is affected by these points

• In 2024 the FAA issued over 9,000 new mechanic certificates in the most recent year

• AMT school enrollment increased 9% last year.
• ONE‑THIRD OF AMTS CLASSROOM SEATS REMAIN UNFILLED, meaning capacity exists to grow annual graduate output significantly.
• Instructor staffing remains flat, which is the main bottleneck limiting growth.

• This limited AMT instructors interested means schools CANNOT EXPAND CLASS SECTIONS, even when they have physical space and student demand. Instructor hiring is extremely difficult because:
  • A&P instructors must hold an FAA mechanic certificate.
  • Industry salaries for experienced AMTs are $90k–$135k+, far higher than typical instructor pay.
  • Many qualified mechanics prefer airline/MRO roles over teaching.
• Student Attrition — “UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO CONTINUE.” ARSA notes that program vacancies result from students unwilling or unable to continue in school.
  • Drivers include:
    • Financial pressure (tools, exams, living costs)
    • Competing job opportunities before graduation
    • Life disruptions (transportation, childcare, housing)
    • Academic difficulty in math/physics-heavy modules
    • This attrition creates empty seats mid‑program that cannot be backfilled.
  • Geographic Mismatch Between Schools and Students
    • Many AMTS are located in:
      • Industrial zones
      • Airports far from population centers
      • Regions with limited public transit
      • Students who want to enroll often cannot commute reliably. This is a major factor in urban areas like Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Demand- numbers, salaries

• The U.S. will need ~123,000 new COMMERCIAL mechanics and avionics specialists over the next 20 years (≈ 6,150 per year), not counting business/general aviation.
• Current output (~9,000 per year) exceeds the minimum replacement requirement, but:
  • 35% of all current AMTs are over age 62, meaning retirements will accelerate. advancedmanufacturing.org
  • The North American fleet is projected to grow 13% by 2035, increasing maintenance demand.

Expected AMT Salaries (2026 Outlook)

Starting Salaries

• $52,832–$64,480 for new graduates (PIA data).
• $45,000–$55,000 typical national entry‑level range.

National Median Salary

• $75,400 per year (BLS‑based).
• PIA reports an average of $79,140, up from $75,400 the prior year.

Experienced AMT Salaries

• 2–5 years: $58,000–$70,000
• 5–10 years: $72,000–$88,000
• 10+ years: $90,000–$105,000
• Lead/Supervisor: $95,000–$120,000+
• Avionics/Turbine specialists: $100,000–$135,000+

Top‑Paying Employers

• Major airlines: $70,000–$102,000
• FedEx/UPS cargo: $78,000–$102,000
• Defense contractors: $82,000–$120,000+

These difficulties associated with teachers and students suggest THAT THERE IS A LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THESE JOBS. Using the example of college sports which generate massive publicity, might an INDUSTRY COALITION initiate a campaign to ENDOW PROFESSORSHIPs at these institutions and to create NAME, IMAGE & LIKENESS support for students? Both of these possible initiatives might create the same excitement that surround the college scene. Pictures the Boeing AMT scholar handing out the Part 147 diplomas or a HIGH SCHOOL student wearing his Snap-On t-shirt at his graduation as he heads to an aviation mechanic career!!!

Broad Concept: “Future Ready Faculty & Flight Tech Scholars”

Goal: Link major aerospace employers and suppliers to aviation maintenance programs through endowed professorships and student NIL‑style sponsorships.

Employer Endowment Model[2]

• Boeing Professorship in Advanced Airframe Systems Announcement: “Boeing announces a $2.5 million endowment establishing the Boeing Professorship in Advanced Airframe Systems at [Part 147 institution]. The endowed chair’s enhanced salary will lead research and workforce training in composite structures and digital maintenance analytics.”
• RTX Professorship in Propulsion Diagnostics Announcement: “RTX endows a new professorship focused on next‑generation propulsion diagnostics and predictive maintenance. The initiative strengthens the talent pipeline connecting university labs to commercial and defense aviation.”
• United Airlines Professorship in Airline Maintenance Operations Announcement: “United Airlines partners with [Community College Name] to create the United Professorship in Airline Maintenance Operations, integrating classroom instruction with live fleet maintenance internships.”

Supplier‑Side NIL Campaign[3]

Concept: Suppliers of tools, testing systems, and standard parts sponsor students directly — mirroring athletic NIL deals but tied to technical skill and innovation.

• Snap‑On Tools “Precision Scholars” NIL Program Announcement: “Snap‑On Tools launches the Precision Scholars NIL program, providing branded toolkits and annual stipends to top AMTS students demonstrating excellence in precision maintenance.”
• Honeywell “Systems Innovators” NIL Program Announcement: “Honeywell introduces Systems Innovators, an NIL‑style sponsorship rewarding students who design diagnostic improvements using Honeywell avionics test systems.”
• Parker Hannifin “Fluid Power Fellows” NIL Program Announcement: “Parker Hannifin announces Fluid Power Fellows, a scholarship and NIL partnership supporting students mastering hydraulic and pneumatic systems.”

3. Unified Campaign Theme

Tagline: “Engineering Tomorrow’s Flight — Together.” Message: Major employers and suppliers invest in professors and students alike, creating visibility for technical education comparable to college athletics.

These are familiar points of reference for the two pools needed to birth the skills, SAFETY SKILLS. It may be a little too creative, but out of the box thinking may be exactly what is needed to energize the recruitment of future workforce essentials.

 

The Competition Was Fierce

April 27, 2026

The 2026 AMC Competition was the largest ever.

 

Photo courtesy AMC.

On April 23, the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition hosted on the exhibit floor of Aviation Week’s MRO Americas wrapped. Five-member teams from schools, industry, and the military competed in maintenance events intended to test skill and knowledge required of an aviation technician. Though the official reason for each team to gather in Orlando was technical performance, the event is a showcase for the skill and comradery inherit in aerospace maintenance work – a celebration of the industry’s past, present, and future.

The 2026 ARSA-sponsored event was AMC’s largest ever, with 87 teams competing across 29 maintenance task-based challenges. Next year will bring further growth: The Competition will spread internationally for the first time with an appearance at MRO Asia-Pacific 2027 in Singapore. For a complete wrap of this year’s event at MRO Americas including photos and resources for getting involved, click here to go to the Competition website.

There were almost fifty Part 147 schools, colleges, universities, and student academies that fielded teams in the 2026 competition.

Notable Student Award Winners (from DOM & ARSA)

• AMC Professionalism Award – Student: Jeremy Janes (Chennault AMA)
• AireXpert Dream Team Award: Tulsa Tech (Adult Students)
• Peer Team Award: Centennial College – Team 1

Official School Category Ranking

• Tulsa Tech – Adult Students
• UTI – Houston
• Tarrant County College
• Top Event‑Level Student Performers
• Embry‑Riddle (multiple event wins + professionalism award)
• MTSU (dominant in FedEx events)
• Tulsa Tech – Aerospace Academy (high school division, but strong)
• Centennial College (multiple event wins + peer award)
• Liberty University (won Event 26)
• WSU Tech (won Event 16)

 

[1] 700K AMTs needed—start a Part 147 school NOW; AMT DEMAND : PREDICTION & ACTION; Where are we as to AMT deficit now? and for 10 years? What is being done to address this shortage?; University of Maine Augusta institutes an AMT program that’s WELL DESIGNED FOR THE FUTURE OF AERONAUTICS

[2] It might be more powerful to have the endowed teachers come from the company on a sabbatical basis.

[3] Identifying candidates in secondary , trade and AMT schools would effectively improve the knowledge for jobs and attractive salaries.