Ryanair (FR) currently operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft, and it’s investing heavily in maintenance capacity to match its growth plans: the airline says it’s targeting over 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers a year within the next decade, which means hiring hundreds more engineers. For Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and Technicians, that translates into strong demand, clear licensing pathways, and pay that scales quickly once you hold the right approvals.
Ryanair AME and Technician Salary in 2026
Engineering pay at Ryanair varies significantly by country, licence category, type-rating approvals, and whether the role is line or base maintenance. The figures below combine Ryanair’s own advertised packages with independent salary-reporting data, so treat them as a realistic range rather than a fixed scale.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs)
- Newly licensed engineers typically start in the €55,000–€75,000 range as they build certifying experience.
- Experienced B1/B2 engineers with Boeing 737 approvals commonly earn in the region of €80,000–€100,000 annually.
- Senior and lead engineers with multiple approvals can reach €105,000–€121,000 a year. This is borne out by Ryanair’s own current recruitment: a B1 Licensed Engineer role at Dublin Airport advertises a salary package of up to €119,000 including shift allowance and pension while an equivalent B2 posting advertises up to €121,000 on the same basis. A separate Dublin B1 listing quotes a package of up to €106,600, underlining how much individual packages can vary even within the same base.
- Lithuania: A permanent B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer role at Ryanair’s Kaunas base (KAMS) lists an annual gross salary of approximately €86,000–€92,000.
- UK market context: Glassdoor data (12 self-reported salaries) puts the average Ryanair Aircraft Maintenance Engineer salary in the UK noticeably lower, at around £44,893 a year, with a typical range of roughly £33,943 to £61,939 — a reminder that UK-based roles and Ireland/mainland-Europe licensed engineering packages aren’t directly comparable.
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
- Entry-level technicians and mechanics generally start around €30,000–€40,000 a year.
- With a few years of experience and added approvals, pay commonly moves into the €42,000–€55,000 range.
- Senior technicians and Cat A mechanics can reach €60,000–€75,000 annually. Indeed’s Ireland salary data lists the average Ryanair Aircraft Mechanic salary at approximately €36,975 a year, while Glassdoor’s broader “Aircraft Maintenance Technician” category — which draws on a much larger, largely US-weighted sample — shows an average closer to $79,757 (roughly €73,000).
At a glance
| Role level | Typical annual salary (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (overall range) | €55,000 – €121,000 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician (overall range) | €30,000 – €75,000 |
The single biggest jump in earnings comes after obtaining a B1 or B2 licence with Boeing 737 certification privileges — this is the point where Ryanair’s own job postings show salary packages roughly doubling compared with technician-level pay.
Benefits of Working in Ryanair Engineering
- Fixed roster patterns – Many licensed engineer roles run on a “4 on, 4 off” schedule
- Type training and apprenticeships – Structured pathways from trainee mechanic through to B1/B2 licensing
- Pension contributions and shift allowances – Built into many advertised salary packages
- International transfer opportunities – Ryanair maintains engineering bases across Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, and Lithuania, among others
- Large-scale Boeing 737 exposure – With hundreds of 737NG and 737 MAX aircraft in the fleet, engineers build type experience quickly
- Visa sponsorship – Available for certain positions and locations
AME vs. Technician: What’s the Difference?
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) A licensed engineer who certifies that maintenance work has been completed correctly and that an aircraft is fit to return to service. Typical duties include diagnosing defects, supervising maintenance tasks, running inspections, reviewing technical documentation, and signing off on aircraft after work is completed.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician Carries out the hands-on maintenance work that keeps aircraft available for service — routine inspections, component replacement, repairs, servicing, and supporting engineers with troubleshooting. Many technicians use the role as a stepping stone toward an EASA licence and a move into engineering.
Requirements to Join as an Engineer or Technician
Ryanair recruits maintenance staff across Europe both directly and through partner maintenance organisations.
General requirements:
- Aircraft maintenance qualification or technical diploma
- Solid understanding of aircraft systems
- Willingness to work shifts and weekends
- Strong safety and compliance mindset
- Good English communication skills
For Aircraft Maintenance Engineers:
- Valid, unrestricted EASA Part-66 B1 or B2 licence — this is listed as essential in current Ryanair engineering postings.
- Boeing 737NG or 737 MAX type rating preferred, with a Boeing 737-7/8/9 LEAP-1B rating specifically noted as desirable in recent Dublin vacancies.
- Previous certifying experience and strong troubleshooting skills.
For Aircraft Maintenance Technicians:
- Aircraft maintenance training or apprenticeship
- Practical maintenance experience and strong mechanical aptitude
- Willingness to work in line or base maintenance
Ryanair also runs its own apprenticeship and trainee mechanic programmes — a 12-week intensive course at one of its maintenance facilities is designed to fast-track successful candidates toward a licensed engineer role, with pay of up to roughly €70,000 a year once qualified.
Bottom Line
Engineering at Ryanair rewards licensing and certification progress more than tenure alone. Technicians start on modest pay but have a clearly signposted route to a B1 or B2 licence, and once that licence carries Boeing 737 approvals, Ryanair’s own current job postings show salary packages climbing well past €100,000 at bases like Dublin. Pay does vary meaningfully by country — Lithuania and UK-reported figures sit noticeably below Ireland’s headline engineer packages — so it’s worth checking the specific base and contract before comparing offers.
For engineers and technicians who want fast, high-volume exposure to a major short-haul Boeing fleet and a defined licensing pathway, Ryanair remains one of the more structured routes into aircraft maintenance in the low-cost sector.
FAQs
Does Ryanair prefer engineers with Boeing 737 experience? Yes. Since the 737NG and 737 MAX form the backbone of the fleet, a Boeing 737 type rating is listed as preferred or desirable across Ryanair’s current engineering vacancies.
Can a technician become an AME at Ryanair? Yes. Ryanair runs apprenticeship and trainee mechanic programmes that support progression through Cat A and on to B1/B2 licensing.
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What is the highest-paying engineering role at Ryanair? Senior B1/B2 licensed engineers with multiple approvals and Boeing 737 experience earn the most, with current Dublin postings advertising packages of up to €119,000–€121,000 including shift allowance and pension.
