Also called: Warbird Restoration Technician, Antique Aircraft Restorer
Rebuilds World War II fighters, biplanes, and other historic aircraft so they can fly again.
A warbird restorer might spend months hand-forming aluminum skin for a P-51 Mustang, overhauling a radial engine, or reading 80-year-old blueprints. Museums and private collectors pay for this rare skill.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. FAA Airframe & Powerplant license plus years of hands-on restoration experience.
Ways in: Trade school, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aviation Maintenance Technology (trade school).
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 49-3011: Faster than average (5% to 6%).
Low risk for 10 years. Rebuilding one-of-a-kind warbirds is craft work; AI only helps find parts and old manuals.
Classes: Metals or welding CTE, History, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-3011.
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.