Salary benchmarking is one of the most useful services a specialist recruiter can provide — and one of the most frequently requested. Whether you’re an engineer wondering if you’re being paid fairly, a business reviewing its pay structures, or an HR professional preparing a job offer, understanding current market rates is essential.
At Protec Technical, our consultants are in constant dialogue with engineers and employers across the aviation maintenance sector. What follows is our current read on salary levels for key roles, based on our live market activity. All figures are approximate and reflect the UK market unless otherwise stated; rates vary by region, employer type, and individual experience.
Important Caveats
Salary data in any sector is imprecise. Rates vary based on aircraft type, shift pattern, location, company size, and individual negotiation. The figures here should be taken as indicative ranges rather than precise benchmarks. Contract rates, in particular, fluctuate with market demand and availability. Consult with a specialist recruiter for up-to-date guidance specific to your situation.
Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs)
B1.1 Engineer (Line Maintenance, no type rating) — £38,000–£48,000 per annum permanent. A newly licensed B1 engineer without a type rating will typically be at the lower end of this range. Once a type rating is achieved, the market value increases quickly.
B1.1 Engineer (Line Maintenance, with type rating, A320/737) — £48,000–£62,000 per annum permanent, depending on experience, shift pattern, and location. Senior or experienced B1 engineers with strong CVs and multiple type ratings may command above this range with certain employers.
B1.1 Engineer (Base Maintenance, with type rating) — £46,000–£60,000 per annum. Base maintenance roles often involve different shift patterns (potentially daytime working) which may be reflected in overall package value.
B2 / Avionics Engineer (with type rating) — £46,000–£62,000 per annum. B2 engineers tend to command rates comparable to B1 engineers on similar aircraft, with some variation based on aircraft type and employer.
Category C Licensed Engineer — £58,000–£80,000+ per annum. Category C engineers carry significant responsibility and command premium salaries, particularly those with wide-body aircraft experience or working in complex base maintenance environments.
Contract Rates
Contract engineers typically earn day rates that represent a premium over equivalent permanent salaries, reflecting the flexibility they provide and the absence of employer benefits. Current indicative rates in the UK market:
- B1.1 Line Maintenance (with type rating) – £350–£500 per day
- B1.1 Base Maintenance (with type rating) – £330–£470 per day
- B2 / Avionics (with type rating) – £340–£490 per day
- C Licence (base maintenance) – £500–£700+ per day
International contract rates — particularly in the Middle East and Asia — often carry additional benefits including tax efficiency, accommodation allowances, and flights, which can significantly increase the total package value.
Other Roles
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (unlicensed) — £28,000–£38,000 per annum, depending on experience and employer.
NDT Inspector (Level 2) — £38,000–£50,000 per annum. NDT specialists with both Part-66 licence and NDT qualifications can command above this.
Airworthiness / Maintenance Planning Engineer — £40,000–£60,000 per annum. Senior CAMO roles attract higher packages.
Quality Manager / Maintenance Manager — £55,000–£80,000+ per annum, depending on scope of responsibility and organisation size.
Factors That Influence Pay
Beyond the base numbers, several factors meaningfully influence engineering pay. Aircraft type experience matters significantly — engineers rated on the Airbus A350, Boeing 777, or Trent XWB typically command more than those on older or less common types. Shift pattern affects gross package (night shift and weekend premiums can add 20%+ to effective hourly rates). Geographic location also plays a role — London and the South East typically attract higher rates than regional airports.
For a personalised assessment of your market value or current rates for specific roles, speak to our team at Protec Technical. We provide honest, informed guidance based on real market activity.
