Aircraft inspector vs preflight inspector

The differences between aircraft inspectors and preflight inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both an aircraft inspector and a preflight inspector. Additionally, a preflight inspector has an average salary of $54,714, which is higher than the $41,517 average annual salary of an aircraft inspector.

The top three skills for an aircraft inspector include airframe, technical data and hand tools. The most important skills for a preflight inspector are safety rules, , and .

Aircraft inspector vs preflight inspector overview

	Aircraft Inspector	Preflight Inspector
Yearly salary	$41,517	$54,714
Hourly rate	$19.96	$26.30
Growth rate	6%	-3%
Number of jobs	19,533	16,550
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Aircraft inspector vs preflight inspector salary

Aircraft inspectors and preflight inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Aircraft Inspector	Preflight Inspector
Average salary	$41,517	$54,714
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $70,000	Between $33,000 And $88,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between aircraft inspector and preflight inspector education

There are a few differences between an aircraft inspector and a preflight inspector in terms of educational background:

	Aircraft Inspector	Preflight Inspector
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	-	-

Aircraft inspector vs preflight inspector demographics

Here are the differences between aircraft inspectors' and preflight inspectors' demographics:

	Aircraft Inspector	Preflight Inspector
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between aircraft inspector and preflight inspector duties and responsibilities

Aircraft inspector example responsibilities.

Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
Remove, install, repair, maintain & troubleshot landing gear, engine, environmental, hydraulic and airframe systems.
Ensure proper technical training and OJT records are kept up to date.
Inspect, repair, troubleshoot, service calls, rebuild, install, of overhead cranes up to 400 tons.
Perform operational checks and troubleshoot helicopter systems to isolate malfunctions.
Inspect airframe modifications and custom interior installations for BBJ's according customer requests.

Preflight inspector example responsibilities.

Accomplish all task to latest blue print revision, and FAA circulars and service bulletin's.
Coordinate customer interaction, providing direction and oversight in regard to maintenance, safety, quality assurance and training.
Work in conjunction with aircraft coordinator to manufacture the GV and GIV by interpreting blue prints and technical procedures.

Aircraft inspector vs preflight inspector skills

Common aircraft inspector skills

Airframe, 12%
Technical Data, 11%
Hand Tools, 8%
Aircraft Systems, 6%
Aircraft Maintenance, 6%
Maintenance Manuals, 5%

Common preflight inspector skills

Safety Rules, 100%

Aircraft Inspector vs. similar jobs

Aircraft Inspector related careers

Aircraft Inspector related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Aircraft Inspector
Aircraft Inspector vs Preflight Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs