Hourly AME wage

[SeptRepair]

Good post grease nipple. A couple of us contractor scum have been discussing the exact same thing. Contrator rates are stagnated right now. The drop in the hourly rate by a couple bucks for the dental, stats, vac pay etc is looking good.

[jayjact]

Licenced, M1, M2 with 15 years experience. Making $29/hr. Have done some contract work on the side, but with contract wages being so low...not worth it, I can make alot more coming in to work on an OT shift. I have made more in the industry at other places, but the work sucked bum. Not very good places to work, twisting wrenches on piece of junk planes, bosses who treat you like garbage. I am at a place now where I am treated alot better, benefits, flight privelages, bonuses, room to grow in the company and working on much nicer equipment. So it makes up for the lower wage compared to what I was making. And it keeps getting better. But the standard of pay has got to go up and soon. And yah the semi skilled labour crap..well, we all know what we all think of that rubbish.

[still_bluenoser]

Looking at the salary chart...wondering if there are still any licensed AME's out there earning under $20/hr.

We'll see on Wed I guess! Just got my E and there are signs that I don't even get a raise if so I'm in the 18/hr slot, but not for long

[qa guy]

WOW! no offense....but that really sucks! I didn't get a raise when I got licensed, but I sure did when I got ACA. Would not sign a maintenance release without an increase. More responsibility.......more pay! Seems logical enough to me.

[jsmetalbashers]

Wow that sucks, a fresh E license out here will get you 26/hr. Don't settle for crap, there is still a huge demand for avionics techs.

[tiny]

I remember I got my licence on a friday, and quit on monday. They expected me to continue at 15/hr Five years later I'm in a more enjoyable shop at 32/hr and no shift work, weekends off ( most of the time)

[qa guy]

Nice to hear that! $32 is pretty good. Is that an employee wage or contract?
It has been almost 2 years since this thread was started......maybe it's time for an updated poll. Im curious to know where others stand in terms of wages, and also benefits. Those are sometimes overlooked. Where is the money in this industry? management? big tin? GA? corporate? heli's? The working hours usually go to GA! And if you are going to whine how there is no money in this industry....dont bother. A thread like this can start alot of negativity.

[bombardierfixer]

I'm doing 40.00hr + Perdium, Could do a little better but I'd have to cut out my agency, they take care of me though, so I think its worth it. Oh and I'm a connie if you didn't already know.

[qa guy]

Nice! Seems alot of guys are going that way. What are some of the benefits? I know they typically make more hourly. Do the agencies give you benefits? EI? Vac pay? etc... Can you write off your tools going that route? Do the agencies give you plenty of work?

[tiny]

That's an employee wage working on GA aircraft in a medium size town a little bit north.

[bombardierfixer]

No Bene's you have to take care of that yourself. I ride on my wifes coat tails for that stuff, but she also has a real job. I like it because you get to fly under the radar a bit and you don't get caught up in the politics of the place. The downside is that your "career" takes a bit of a back seat, your on the tools most of the time unless you get a customer rep job or somthing to that effect. I dunno right now its working for us. long term probably will have to put the yolk back on and be a perme guy.

As for GA stuff, I don't know the score just because I'm M2. But what I read in the forums it dosn't really sound like its for me, I don't like the fact that I would have to deal with the owners all the time. I did customer service for way too long and most people are reasonable but you'll run into that one screaming A$$hole once a week that dosn't want to spend a fricking dime but have his machine run like a top. Those type just don't get the fact you're trying to keep them safe. So that constant contact with owners should command better money, I think.

[qa guy]

Good points! Great feedback! I'm glad I dont have to deal with the private owners. I support a fleet. But the guys next door do.
Funny how in this industry an owner will bitch about a $65/ hour shop rate for his airplane, but take his caddy to GM for $102/h. Oh well!
Aviation is the cleanest mechanic work you can do and I wouldn't trade it for anything.............well almost anything!

[Bell]

Just coming up to 2nd Year Apprentice - $18.50, General Aviation.

[pistonpounder]

37.oo hr start fresh AME at 32.00

[qa guy]

Where abouts?

[still_bluenoser]

Ok. $20 fresh E.