Aviation Inspectors
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Also called: Aeronautical Inspector, Aerospace Inspector, Air Carrier Inspector, Aircraft Inspector, Aircraft Landing Gear Inspector, Aircraft Maintenance Inspector
Median pay
$92,100
Pay for the broader BLS group “Transportation Inspectors”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$40,330 – $138,670
People employed
24,500
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CRI
Conventional · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 5.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
Aviation Inspectors pay by state
Annual median pay by state (43 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Transportation Inspectors”.
What aviation inspectors do
- 01Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.
- 02Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes.
- 03Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
- 04Inspect 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.
- 05Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
- 06Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 10 years.
- On-the-job training: over 4 years, up to and including 10 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from aviation inspectors
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians88% · —
- Avionics Technicians81% · —
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians77% · —
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers77% · —
- Automotive Engineering Technicians75% · group pay
Change into aviation inspectors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians78% · $82,890
- Construction and Building Inspectors75% · $74,690
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians75% · $74,510
- Agricultural Inspectors73% · $49,940
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists73% · $78,350