The US job market is grappling with a growing shortage in a crucial sector few young people know about. Aviation maintenance technicians, responsible for keeping aircraft safe and operational, are retiring at unprecedented rates. This has created opportunities for Gen Z to enter high-paying roles without a traditional college degree.Globally, an estimated 83% of aviation maintenance technicians are expected to retire or leave the profession over the next decade, according to the CAE Aviation Talent Forecast. By 2034, this translates to a demand for approximately 416,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians worldwide. Jason Pfaff, CEO of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, in conversation with the Fortune, said, “There’s a very acute shortage in our country today of aviation mechanics. We have on average about half the number of trained certified mechanics that we need.”Training and earning potential for Gen ZMany aviation technician programmes, including AIM, provide 21-month training courses at a fraction of the cost of a four-year degree. Students who pass the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) exams qualify for roles that are in high demand. Employment placement rates at AIM campuses average around 73%, Pfaff told the Fortune.The work is not without challenges. Technicians often operate in extreme weather conditions, endure loud tarmacs, and work around jet fumes. Despite this, financial rewards are significant. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for aviation maintenance technicians at around $79,000. With overtime and promotions, total compensation can exceed $300,000. Bianca Miller, an avionics technician at Newark Liberty International Airport, told the Fortune, “The opportunities are endless. At the end of the day, there really is no wrong.”Growing demand and broader labour shortagesAirports such as Pittsburgh International are seeing rising demand for skilled workers. Christina Cassotis, the airport’s CEO, quoted by the Fortune, said the number of aviation maintenance roles is expected to rise from 360 to 600 this year due to airline expansion projects. While the airport has managed to retain local talent, it remains affected by the broader skilled trade shortage.This shortage extends beyond aviation. Ford CEO Jim Farley told the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast that over a million positions in trucking, factory work, emergency services, plumbing, and electrical trades remain vacant. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Channel 4 News in the UK that electricians, carpenters, and plumbers will be vital for the rapid construction of AI data centres, predicting that the skilled craft segment will “see a boom” over the next several years.Gen Z interest continues to riseGen Z is increasingly drawn to trade-focused career paths. National Student Clearinghouse data indicates enrolment in two-year public trade-focused institutions has grown by nearly 20% since spring 2020. AIM reports a roughly 40% rise in Gen Z applications for aviation maintenance programmes over the past two years, showing strong interest in entering the field.How Gen Z can explore similar opportunitiesFor those interested in high-paying roles with minimal formal education, structured programmes and certification exams provide clear pathways. These include short-term training courses, national certification, and strong employment support networks, enabling candidates to enter critical industries quickly and start earning competitive salaries.