Private Aviation · Senior
Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$90,000
25th percentile
P50
$115,000
Median
P75
$140,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Tight
Scarcity: 5.5/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
30-70
Active candidates globally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
10% year-over-year
RETENTION
5 yr avg tenure
12% annual turnover
Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
Shortage mirrors A&P pipeline issues; lead/foreman roles increasingly hard to fill
Also Known As
Senior Aircraft Mechanic, Maintenance Lead (Aviation), A&P Lead Technician, Aviation Maintenance Supervisor
What Does a Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman Do?
The Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman operates in private aviation operations, managing aircraft, flight crews, and aviation logistics for principals, charter operators, or fractional ownership programs. Professionals in this role typically bring 7 to 12 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a tight candidate market with an estimated pool of 30-70 qualified professionals, making targeted sourcing and competitive compensation critical for successful placements.
What Drives Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman Compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman is $115,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $90,000 to $140,000. The 45% spread between P25 and P75 reflects significant pay variation driven by aircraft type and fleet size, flight hours, type ratings held, international operating experience, Part 91 vs. Part 135 operations, and the principal's travel frequency. Demand for this role is trending upward with 0.1% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.
Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman Career Path
Professionals who move into Lead Mechanic / Maintenance Foreman roles most commonly come from commercial aviation, military flight operations, or corporate flight departments. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward chief pilot positions, director of aviation, aviation management company leadership, or fleet management for multi-aircraft operations. The average tenure in this role is approximately 5 years, with an annual turnover rate of 12%.
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