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The differences between aircraft maintenance supervisors and lead mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aircraft maintenance supervisor and a lead mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft maintenance supervisor has an average salary of $77,005, which is higher than the $54,471 average annual salary of a lead mechanic.
The top three skills for an aircraft maintenance supervisor include maintenance tasks, OSHA and airframe. The most important skills for a lead mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.
| Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $77,005 | $54,471 |
| Hourly rate | $37.02 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 62,560 | 86,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aircraft maintenance supervisor heads a team of mechanics and technicians that maintains aircraft. They ensure that all protocols mandated by aviation regulations and policies are followed. They are responsible for ensuring that maintenance personnel work efficiently, adhere to safety guidelines, and maintain all assigned aircraft. An aircraft maintenance supervisor must have experience in aviation as well as having good communication skills and organizational skills.
A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.
Aircraft maintenance supervisors and lead mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $77,005 | $54,471 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $97,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Victorville, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft maintenance supervisor and a lead mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between aircraft maintenance supervisors' and lead mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |