All Nippon Airways (NH) is Japan’s largest airline and one of the most respected carriers in Asia-Pacific, built on a reputation for operational reliability and exceptionally high safety standards. Operating a fleet that spans the Airbus A320 family, A321neo, and A380 alongside the Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner, ANA leans heavily on its engineering workforce to keep that reputation intact.
Unlike carriers where maintenance runs quietly in the background, ANA’s engineering culture is frequently cited as a core reason for its safety record. For Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and Technicians, a role at ANA means working inside an organization where technical precision is treated as non-negotiable — and for aviation professionals in Japan, landing a position in ANA Engineering is widely seen as a career milestone in itself.
As with most airlines, ANA doesn’t publish an official engineering pay scale, so the figures below are built from third-party compensation trackers rather than a confirmed company table. Treat them as an informed estimate, not a guarantee.
What Do Aircraft Engineers and Technicians Do?
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
An AME is a licensed professional responsible for confirming that maintenance work has been carried out correctly before an aircraft returns to service. Typical responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing technical defects
- Reviewing maintenance procedures
- Supervising technicians during major maintenance tasks
- Verifying completed repairs and inspections
- Certifying aircraft as airworthy
At ANA, engineers work within strict quality-control systems where accuracy and regulatory compliance are treated as absolute requirements.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Technicians carry out much of the hands-on work that keeps aircraft flying safely. Their duties typically include:
- Conducting routine inspections
- Replacing aircraft components
- Servicing engines and aircraft systems
- Performing troubleshooting under an engineer’s supervision
- Assisting during scheduled maintenance checks
Technicians are usually the first people physically working an aircraft once a defect is identified.
All Nippon Airways AME and Technician Salary in 2026
Japanese airlines have traditionally prioritized stability, seniority, and long-term progression over the highest possible starting salaries seen elsewhere in global aviation — and ANA’s engineering pay structure reflects that pattern.
Company-specific data: Glassdoor’s aggregated listing for ANA’s “Aircraft Maintenance Engineer” role reports total pay of roughly ¥396,000–428,000 a month (median ¥412,000), which annualizes to approximately ¥4.75–5.14 million a year (about US$32,000–34,000).¹ That figure is drawn from a small self-reported sample, so it’s best read as a directional signal rather than a precise number.
Broader market context: Glassdoor’s country-wide “Aircraft Engineer” benchmark for Japan reports an average salary of about ¥9.69 million a year, with a typical (25th–75th percentile) range of roughly ¥8.6–10.8 million — though this too is based on a very small sample and likely skews toward senior, licensed engineers at major carriers.² ERI SalaryExpert’s separate “Aeronautical Engineer” benchmark for Japan, which better matches the degree-and-licence profile of a certifying AME, reports an average of about ¥11 million a year, ranging from roughly ¥7.65 million for entry-level engineers (1–3 years) to ¥13.65 million for senior engineers (8+ years).³
Taken together, these sources suggest a realistic range for ANA-level AMEs of roughly ¥6.5 million to ¥14 million a year (approximately US$43,000–93,000), with newly licensed engineers toward the lower end and senior certifying engineers, training captains of maintenance, and technical specialists toward the top — consistent with how certifying authority and years of service compound at major Japanese carriers.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Nippon_Airways_Boeing_787-8_Dreamliner_JA801A_OKJ_Night_retuschiert.jpg
For Technicians, ERI SalaryExpert’s Japan-wide “Aircraft Mechanic” data reports an average gross salary of about ¥5.97 million a year, ranging from roughly ¥4.3 million for entry-level technicians (1–3 years) to ¥7.34 million for senior technicians (8+ years).⁴ Because ANA’s maintenance base sits in the greater Tokyo area, it’s also worth noting that ERI’s Tokyo-specific figure runs meaningfully higher — an average of about ¥8.15 million a year, from roughly ¥5.87 million entry-level to ¥10.02 million senior-level — reflecting Tokyo’s higher cost of living and wage premium relative to the national average.⁵
Put together, a reasonable estimate for ANA technician pay is roughly ¥4 million to ¥8.5 million a year (approximately US$27,000–57,000), with the biggest jump in earnings typically coming when a technician obtains a maintenance licence and transitions into a certifying engineer role.
Summary estimate:
| Role | Estimated annual range (JPY) | Estimated annual range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | ¥6.5M – ¥14M | ~$43,000 – $93,000 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | ¥4M – ¥8.5M | ~$27,000 – $57,000 |
Requirements to Join ANA as an Engineer or Technician
Basic Requirements
- A diploma or degree in aircraft maintenance or aerospace engineering
- Strong understanding of aircraft systems
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work rotating shifts
- Strong attention to detail and safety procedures
For Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
- A recognized aircraft maintenance licence
- Commercial aviation maintenance experience
- Type ratings on aircraft such as the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 (advantageous)
- Strong technical and regulatory knowledge
For Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
- Technical or vocational maintenance qualifications
- Practical mechanical skills
- Experience in maintenance environments (preferred)
- Willingness to pursue additional training and certifications
Many technicians eventually progress into engineer positions after obtaining the required licences.
Benefits and Perks at ANA Engineering
Salary is only part of the package. ANA employees may also receive:
- Staff travel privileges and discounted airline tickets
- Performance-based bonuses
- Retirement and pension programmes
- Comprehensive training opportunities
- Health and welfare benefits
- Career progression within Japan’s largest airline
Bottom Line
Working as an AME or Technician at ANA in 2026 offers more than a paycheck — it’s a chance to work inside one of the world’s most respected airline engineering organizations on a diverse, modern fleet. Engineers earn considerably more than technicians because they carry certification authority and direct responsibility for aircraft safety, while technicians have a clear, well-worn pathway toward licensing and higher-paying engineering roles.
For aviation professionals who value technical excellence, structured career progression, and the prestige of Japan’s largest carrier, ANA remains one of the most desirable engineering employers in the industry — even if exact pay figures require some estimation, since the airline doesn’t publish an official scale.
FAQs
Does ANA prefer engineers with Boeing 787 experience?
Yes. Since the Boeing 787 is central to ANA’s long-haul fleet, experience or type ratings on the aircraft are a meaningful advantage during recruitment.
Can foreign aircraft maintenance professionals work for ANA?
They can, though Japanese language ability, licence recognition, and compliance with Japanese aviation regulations are typically important factors.
What helps an AME earn a higher salary at ANA?
Type ratings, certifying authority, supervisory responsibilities, years of service, and experience on advanced aircraft such as the Boeing 787 or Airbus A380 tend to be the biggest factors.
How reliable are these salary figures?
ANA does not publish an official engineering pay scale, so all figures here are estimates built from third-party trackers (Glassdoor, ERI SalaryExpert) rather than confirmed company data. Actual pay will vary by seniority, qualifications, and role.
References:
- Glassdoor — Aircraft Engineer Salary in Japan (2026) (ANA-specific listing)
- Glassdoor — Aircraft Engineer Salary in Japan (2026) (country-wide benchmark)
- ERI SalaryExpert — Aeronautical Engineer Salary in Japan (2026)
- ERI SalaryExpert — Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Japan (2026)
- ERI SalaryExpert — Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Tokyo, Japan (2026)