Also called: Inspection Authorization Holder, Quality Assurance Inspector, Aircraft Quality Inspector
Senior mechanic authorized to inspect other mechanics' work and approve aircraft as airworthy after major repairs.
You double-check that every bolt on a newly repaired engine mount is torqued correctly and that paperwork matches the work done. You perform annual inspections on small planes, crawling around with a flashlight and mirror. Your stamp is what lets a plane return to service.
Estimated.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 5 years after high school. A&P certificate held for at least 3 years plus the FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) exam.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aviation Maintenance Technology.
Growing about average. Steady; experienced inspectors are in short supply.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones and AI scans help spot dents and cracks; the licensed inspector's judgment and signature stay human.
Classes: Physics, Algebra II, Auto tech CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-6051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.