Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Salary in India & Abroad
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Salary: Complete Realistic Breakdown (Journey, Responsibility & Salary Growth)
When we talk about Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) salary, it is true that experienced, fully licensed engineers earn salaries ranging from lakhs per month, and in some cases, even annual packages worth crores in foreign airlines for wide-body aircraft. But before understanding the salary, every aviation aspirant, student and parent must understand the journey, responsibility, and real path toward becoming a Licensed AME. Unlike many engineering branches, where you simply complete a college degree and get placed,
Journey to Become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
is a filtered, skill-driven, responsibility-based licensing profession.
Why AME is Not Like Other Engineering Courses
Any aircraft, irrespective of its owner, operator, type or size, can not take off without the signature and certification of a licensed AME.
Hence, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course is not like other engineering courses where you simply complete the program and receive a licence. AME is a professional, competency-based licensing career that requires rigorous hands-on training, practical exposure, and successful clearance of regulatory examinations before a licence is granted.
What Does “Signing the Aircraft” Mean?
If maintenance is not done properly, or if the system is not checked from nose to tail, the risk is not just a technical failure — it is a potential crash, risking hundreds of passengers, people on the ground, property (aircraft) worth crores of rupees, and the reputation of the entire aviation ecosystem.
This is why the responsibility of a Licensed AME is considered more crucial than even doctors.
Why Licensing Should Not Be Given Easily
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The safety of our families, children, parents, leaders, scientists, business owners, ministers and millions of passengers depends on AMEs.
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accidents cannot be allowed to happen, like road accidents.
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aviation demands skill, discipline and error-free performance.
Therefore, the licensing process should be strict, regulated, controlled and filtered. And yes, it is strict, regulated, controlled and filtered.
Journey to Become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
The journey to become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is a long process, disciplined and fully performance-based:
1. Completing AME Course
Even after passing the college semester exams, you are not recognised as a licensed AME.
2. Passing All AME Modules (DGCA Exams)
Every candidate must pass the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Syllabus with all DGCA AME Module Examinations related to the chosen licence category.
3. Gaining Practical Experience (2–3 Years Minimum)
Experience must be gained only inside DGCA-approved Maintenance Organisations, under the supervision of licensed AMEs, on live operating aircraft, not in classrooms or general workshops. This cannot be replaced with 3-month or 6-month training — it requires years of real aircraft maintenance work in a controlled environment under the supervision of a licensed AME.
Just like in the case of doctors, after completion of education, they are required to gain practical experience under a doctor's supervision; only then can they apply for a doctor's license, not just after getting a medical degree.
4. Completing Type Rating
After gaining experience and modules, candidates must undergo an Aircraft Type Rating for a specific aircraft, conducted by CAR-147 organisations, manufacturers or MROs, followed by a Skill Test by DGCA.
5. DGCA Evaluation & Licence Approval
This is why getting an AME licence is difficult but prestigious.
After the Course: Who Are You?
Career Ladder of Aircraft Maintenance Personnel
Your growth in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering depends on multiple factors, such as the licence category you choose, aircraft type, employer, technical skills, knowledge, cleared modules, work performance, and overall discipline.
Below is the general and widely accepted career progression structure in the aviation maintenance industry:
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Trainee Technician (Trainee Tech)
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Junior Technician (Junior Tech)
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Technician (Tech)
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Senior Technician (Senior Tech)
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Master Technician (Master Tech)
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Trainee AME
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AME
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Licensed AME
This ladder is not fixed for everyone. Some technician stages can be skipped or shortened depending on how quickly you clear the required CAR-66 AME Modules, gain high-quality practical maintenance experience (minimum 2–3 years as mandated), and fulfil all DGCA licensing requirements, including the Skill Test.
You continue in the Technician or Trainee AME stages until you successfully complete all module examinations, the required maintenance experience, and the DGCA Skill Test for your specific licence category.
Only after this complete compliance are you eligible to advance and eventually become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Salary Breakdown
Salary varies widely based on:
1. Licence Category (B1, B2, B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, etc.)
The licence category you hold has the strongest impact on your overall salary. Each category under CAR-66 represents a different level of authority, specialisation, and responsibility. For example, B1 categories deal with mechanical and airframe systems, while B2 engineers specialise in avionics and electrical systems. Within B1 itself, B1.1 is for turbine aeroplanes, B1.2 for piston aeroplanes, B1.3 for turbine helicopters, and so on. Higher and more complex categories allow you to certify more advanced aircraft, which naturally leads to higher earnings. Licensed AMEs holding heavy-aircraft or multiple-type approvals usually fall into the highest salary bracket in the industry.
2. Aircraft Type (Small Aircraft vs Large Commercial Aircraft)
The type of aircraft you are qualified to certify also influences your earning potential. Engineers working on small general aviation aircraft or piston-engine aeroplanes tend to earn less compared to those working on large commercial jets such as Airbus, Boeing or ATR series. This is because large commercial aircraft involve more complex systems, higher passenger capacity, greater regulatory scrutiny and higher operational risk. With larger aircraft comes increased responsibility—and therefore higher pay. Engineers licensed on wide-body aircraft (A330, B777, A380, etc.) often command some of the highest AME salaries worldwide.
3. Mechanical / Avionics / Engine / Component Stream
Your stream of expertise also plays a major role in determining salary. Mechanical stream engineers (B1) handle structures, hydraulics, landing gears, and powerplant systems, whereas Avionics stream engineers (B2) specialise in communication, navigation and electrical systems. Both streams are critical, but the demand for each varies across airlines and MROs. Additionally, certain specialised areas like engine overhaul, APU, composites, and component-level maintenance can provide higher earning opportunities due to their technical complexity and skill shortage in the industry.
4. Employer (Airline, MRO, Corporate Aviation, Foreign Operator)
The company or organisation you work for significantly impacts your salary. Major airlines with high passenger traffic generally offer better packages compared to smaller regional operators. MROs (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul organisations) may provide competitive salaries along with broader experience exposure. Corporate aviation can offer premium earning potential due to niche aircraft and personalised operations. Foreign operators, especially in the Middle East, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions, are known for offering some of the highest tax-free or high-benefit salary packages for experienced licensed AMEs.
5. City / Country / Region
Location plays a major role in salary structure. Even within the same company, the pay scale may differ between a metro, Tier-1 airport and a smaller regional or Tier-3 airport because of the cost of living, airport workload, aircraft movement, and market demand. Internationally, countries with booming aviation sectors or those experiencing manpower shortages pay significantly higher salaries, especially for licensed engineers with wide-body aircraft approvals.
6. Experience Level & Performance
As with most professions, experience strongly influences salary growth. A candidate fresh out of training starts as a Technician or Trainee AME with modest earnings. As you gain hands-on experience, clear AME modules, build technical skills, and demonstrate strong performance, your position in the career ladder rises quickly. Senior Technicians, Master Technicians and experienced Trainee AMEs earn much higher salaries. Once you become a Licensed AME, your earning potential increases dramatically. Your performance, discipline, troubleshooting ability, and reliability can further accelerate your promotions and salary increments.
Average Salary Matrix in India
⭐ Technician Level (Before Licence)
Before obtaining a DGCA licence, students enter the industry as Aircraft Maintenance Technicians. Their salary grows gradually as they gain hands-on experience and clear AME modules.
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Trainee Technician: ₹9,000 – ₹12,000 per month
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Junior Technician: ₹12,000 – ₹15,000 per month
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Technician: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month
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Senior Technician: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 per month
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Master Technician: ₹50,000+ per month
These salaries depend on the organisation, aircraft type, skill level, airport tier and overall performance of the candidate.
⭐ AME Level (With Licence)
Once the candidate fulfils all CAR-66 requirements, completes maintenance experience, passes DGCA skill tests and obtains the licence, the salary scale changes significantly.
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Trainee AME: ₹50,000+ per month
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Licensed AME (Limited tasks on aircraft, their system/ components): ₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month
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Licensed AME (All Line Tasks on aircraft, their system/ components): ₹1,00,000+ per month
The salary increases further with additional type ratings, multi-type approvals and seniority in the organisation.
⭐ International Salaries (Wide-Body Aircraft)
Wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 require top-tier expertise due to their complex systems and high operational responsibility.
Licensed AMEs holding full-scope approvals or Category C Licences on these aircraft are offered premium international salaries, especially in countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Europe, and Australia.
These packages often include a high basic salary, tax-free income (in Gulf nations), overtime and line-maintenance allowances, housing, transport and medical benefits, annual travel and performance bonuses.
For fully type-rated AMEs on wide-body aircraft, total compensation can reach crores per year, depending on the operator, location, and licence category.
Final Conclusion: AME Salary = Zero to Superhero of Aviation
The salary of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is driven by licence, experience, aircraft type, employer, performance, and compliance with DGCA regulations.
Once licensed and experienced, AMEs are among the highest-paid engineers globally due to high responsibility, high risk, high skill requirements, and the critical safety nature of aviation.
And of course, Aviation is known for glamour, money and respect, but only for those who complete this tough journey with dedication.
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