Rising Salaries in the MRO Market: Justified or Unsustainable?

The aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market is experiencing a significant surge in salaries, particularly for licensed engineers and technical specialists. Across the industry, companies are grappling with rising labour costs, making it harder to balance profitability with attracting and retaining top talent.

But is this wave of pay increases justified? And what options do businesses have to adapt without compromising operational efficiency?

Why Are MRO Salaries Increasing?

Several factors are driving up wages in the MRO sector:

🔹 Skilled Talent Shortages – The industry is struggling with an aging workforce and a lack of new talent entering the field. Skilled engineers are in high demand, giving them more leverage in salary negotiations.

🔹 Global Demand & Mobility – Engineers are no longer confined to local markets. High-paying opportunities in the Middle East and Asia are pulling talent away from traditional MRO roles.

🔹 Inflation & Cost of Living – Like all industries, MRO professionals are feeling the squeeze of rising living costs and are demanding higher compensation to match.

Comparing MRO Roles to Other Specialist Industries

When we look at comparably skilled positions in other sectors—such as oil & gas, rail, or even high-tech manufacturing—it’s clear that aviation engineers have historically been undervalued.

• A senior maintenance engineer in oil & gas can earn well over £100,000 per year, often with extensive benefits.

• Rail engineers specialising in rolling stock maintenance frequently earn higher base salaries than their aviation counterparts.

• Automotive R&D specialists—while operating in a different sector—often command premium salaries due to skill shortages and technological advancements.

Given the complexity and safety-critical nature of aviation MRO, many argue that these salary increases are long overdue.

The Impact on MRO Companies

While these pay increases help retain talent, they also put MRO businesses in a tough position:

🔸 Tighter Margins – With fixed-rate contracts and intense airline cost pressures, increased staffing costs often can’t be passed on to customers.

🔸 Struggles to Remain Competitive – Independent MROs are particularly vulnerable, as they lack the financial backing of OEMs or airline-affiliated maintenance divisions.

🔸 Risk of a Wage Spiral – Once salaries rise for some, other companies must follow suit, driving costs higher across the entire industry.

How Can MROs Adapt?

To mitigate these rising costs, MRO businesses must think strategically about their approach:

✅ Invest in Talent Pipelines – More structured apprenticeship programs and partnerships with aviation schools can help develop a steady flow of future engineers.

✅ Improve Productivity Through Technology – Automation, digital record-keeping, and predictive maintenance can reduce reliance on additional staffing numbers.

✅ Offer More Than Just Salary – Training, career progression, flexible work schedules, and benefits can attract talent without necessarily inflating wages.

✅ Focus on Retention – If salary hikes are inevitable, the key is retaining those who receive them. A revolving door of talent only worsens the problem.

Final Thought: Justified or Not?

Are rising MRO salaries justified? It depends on who you ask. For the engineers who have been historically underpaid and face ever-increasing responsibilities, many would say “yes.” But for businesses fighting to remain profitable, escalating wages create serious challenges that require new approaches.

The bigger question is: How will the MRO industry evolve to handle these costs without compromising service quality and financial sustainability?

What is your take on rising salaries in MRO?

by William Finden

About the Author: William Finden is the Founder and MD of Oaklands Global. He is a seasoned executive search and recruitment specialist with over 16 years of experience, dedicated to the international aviation & aerospace markets. William leads Oaklands Global’s C-Suite practice and has had a successful career delivering at the executive level for a diverse portfolio of clientele including Business Jet Operators, OEM’s, MRO’s, FBO’s Airlines and Rotary businesses. To learn more about how William can assist with your next career move or to discuss your next director level hire please contact him by email: william.finden@oaklandsglobal.com