Making $55K A Year As An Aircraft Mechanic in Charlotte, NC | On The Job

Erin Haas Martin, 24, is looking forward to making $55K this year as an aircraft mechanic in Charlotte, NC for PSA Airlines. Before becoming a licensed Airframe and Powerplant mechanic, Erin was in the Marine Corps for 5 years where she worked as a helicopter mechanic on CH-53 aircrafts. Now, Erin works the overnight shift 4 days a week, from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Erin Martin remembers the first time she spoke with her military recruiter. She was 16 years old, she drove a 2007 Chevy Cobalt she repaired herself and she already felt burnt out by school.

"I took AP classes and honors classes in high school. My recruiter actually came into my AP calculus class," she recalls. "In high school, I was pretty much a nerd. I was very heavy on the books. I graduated really high in my class and my plans were to go to college. But after high school, I was pretty burnt out. So I decided to join the Marine Corps."

She enlisted in December 2014.

"I got to choose my job and I chose to be a helicopter mechanic," she says, describing servicing massive C-53 helicopters. "I was always into mechanics growing up, but I didn't know much. Like I know how to work on cars and fix things around the house, but I really wanted to learn a trade."

In the military, Martin earned roughly $800 per week — about $41,600 per year.

In December 2019, Martin left the Marines, moved back into her parents' home outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and began looking for work. She wound up becoming an airplane mechanic making more than $25 per hour and expects to earn roughly $55,000 this year. 

At 24 years old, Martin is planning for a long career and has her eye on advanced airplane mechanic positions, or team "lead" positions, that can pay over $100,000.

"Long-term goal, possibly at a different airline, I hope to be making about six figures. I know that won't happen any time soon, but that's my goal," she says.

Martin says military service "is like a rollercoaster" and transitioning into civilian life is no different. 

"I got out in December of 2019, and it was not as planned. I didn't think I was going to be moving back to Charlotte. I thought I was going to be staying in Jacksonville, North Carolina, working as a contractor on my old helicopter," she says. "But plans didn't work out, so I moved back home and then I found out about PSA."

In 2019, PSA Airlines, a regional affiliate of American Airlines, invested in a recruiting program for veterans. Martin applied and was able to place out of the initial mechanic training because of her military experience. 

PSA paid for her to travel to Ohio to earn her Airframe and Powerplant license.

"A lot of companies don't really try to help veterans transition to the civilian side of things," says Martin. "[PSA] offered to pay for my license, which I did not have at the time. And then there were relocation stipends, sign-on bonuses, experience bonuses to box bonuses — like so much stuff that I couldn't really pass up."

Those bonuses included a $2,500 experience bonus and a professional toolbox worth roughly $5,000. 

Currently, Martin works the night shift, which begins at 9 p.m. and ends around 7 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday.

While she says is used to being a "vampire" after working the night shift for three years during her time in the Marine Corps, Martin admits working at night has its challenges. 

"On a typical day, I'll wake up around 4:00 p.m. drag myself out of bed, go make some coffee, and then I'll try to work out before work," she says. "Then I'll eat breakfast, but it's typically dinner food because it's dinner time."

Her commute takes roughly 30 minutes and her workday begins with a team meeting where tasks are assigned. Tasks range from checking aircraft lights and tire pressure to fixing more serious concerns.

For each task, Martin uses a digital manual to diagnose and address each task — a comforting format she has grown to appreciate. 

"You should never have a question about anything that you're doing in the manual. If you do have questions, there's plenty of people here to help you," she says, mentioning "leads" who serve as shift managers. "But usually, the manuals are like Barney-style super simple to understand."

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Making $55K A Year As An Aircraft Mechanic in Charlotte, NC | On The Job

[jasonschwartz]

$55k for working overnight shift doing specialized physical labor with 5+ years experience and a military vet....that is just way too low for this type of work!!

[FinancialShinanigan]

Feel like aircraft mechanics should make way more since their work affects millions of people and can lead to accidents and deaths

[darrylnelson]

No student loan debt. She's waaaay ahead of the game compared to most college graduates. Hope she continues to climb up the career ladder.

[aminat]

Love this video! She is so sweet. She's definitely going to make $100K in the future. Also it's very cool that she doesn't have to bring work "home" with her. That's been one of my struggles with the pandemic and the career I am in currently.

[Josse]

I make 90k as an aircraft mechanic with full benefits. She’s definitely working on the low end. I also worked as a helicopter mechanic in Marine Corp aviation; did 5 years got out got my A&P and was offered tons of jobs! I was offered and great deal and jumped on it. Seems like she settled for a job close to home

[drewconway]

Good for her! It’s always uplifting seeing people who found something they love to do for a career.

[trackourmoney]

This girl is going places! She is passionate about her career and will continue to strive in her field.

[mister_betechkin]

I really like that you guys have stopped doing quite as many "how to survive on a great salary in an expensive city" videos and have started to do more "how to survive on a decent salary in a more standard city" videos - even though I have a degree and I'm going back to school, I'm going back to school to become a teacher so in terms of raw dollar amounts I've got more in common with videos like this than "I make 250k a year and live in SF"

[MBP-zi]

Really enjoying the diversity of this channel's stories. I would have never known about something like this otherwise.

[SVSky]

55-60k year living at home, and no school debt. She's on a great track.

[tyisha]

I love this! she is so mature for her age. I didn't learn how priceless my peace was until I was in my late 30's! There is no amount of money i'd trade for peace.

[Manny-okfv]

As a transitioning service member that is looking into starting a small business, this has made me feel a lot more at ease seeing others make the transition into the civilian workforce successfully.

[LifeofKairo]

Refreshing reminder of how much effort it takes to get that plane off the ground ✈️

[JwcubTHS]

Erin, you're a female AMT and you're awesome! I'm a 30 year employee of AA with an A&P license. I turned wrenches for 10 years in Base and Line Maintenance and have had many opportunities over the years to try new things over the years with AA - that's the great thing about a career in commercial aviation. I love to see women such as you breaking stereotypes! Kudos to you! 😎

[ttech]

She can definitely make six figures within the next 5-10 years. Props to her

[WorldofDaisyFlowers]

This is good for a place where a lot of "good jobs" pay only $10-12 and hour and the minimum wage is still $7.25.

Good for her!

[CptnCobblestone]

Mad respect for this girl. I live around Charlotte as well. I’m really glad to see people building themselves up in this area.

[anoukc]

Finally someone with a nice career and who doesn't have a million $ student loan to pay off!

[markmcla]

Erin is a fantastic role model. I hope she remains happy and healthy!

[ManiMani-pqce]

I enjoyed her story . Wish they would’ve discussed her budget a little more