New aviation mechanics graduate with jobs in hand, thanks to a labor shortage

Aviation maintenance graduates at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) are entering the job market with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification already within reach, amid a widening labor shortage. On graduation day in late June, PIA’s 54 Maintenance students took a final FAA-style test to qualify as mechanics who can work on aircraft airframes and engines. Nearly half had already secured jobs before the ceremony, while others were selecting among options ranging from regional airlines to interviews that included SpaceX in Texas. Derek Vrabel said 47 students passed their first attempt, with the remaining seven expected to pass soon. The need is supported by Boeing’s forecast that North America will require 123,000 aviation maintenance technicians by 2044, versus a 2024 U.S. baseline of nearly 161,000 jobs and a 2024 median salary of $79,140.