text: some worker groups gets classified as 'skilled'ie plumbers. how does a profession get classifed as skilled? plumbers, auto mechanics are classified as 'skilled' workers. how does a profession achieve this classification? are there federal or state laws? where would i need to go to find out more information? i am an aviation mechanic for a large airline and i find that it's ironic that we are not classified as skilled when auto mechanics are. the machines that we work on are just as complex if not more. you are a professional and highly trained, but you are limited to aviation where as a mechanic who is skilled (skilled meaning he/she has mastered the mechanical know how of anything machinery wise and he/she has very limited  knowledge of aviation mechanics. advantage - you because you are a professional.