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Aircraft mechanic vs aviation mechanic

The differences between aircraft mechanics and aviation 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 mechanic and an aviation mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft mechanic has an average salary of $60,496, which is higher than the $54,534 average annual salary of an aviation mechanic.

The top three skills for an aircraft mechanic include hand tools, airframe and FAA. The most important skills for an aviation mechanic are safety procedures, hand tools, and airframe.

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation mechanic overview

Aircraft MechanicAviation Mechanic
Yearly salary$60,496$54,534
Hourly rate$29.08$26.22
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs35,66735,647
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation mechanic salary

Aircraft mechanics and aviation mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Aircraft MechanicAviation Mechanic
Average salary$60,496$54,534
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $87,000Between $34,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CityNewport News, VA-
Highest paying stateMaryland-
Best paying companyAECOM-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between aircraft mechanic and aviation mechanic education

There are a few differences between an aircraft mechanic and an aviation mechanic in terms of educational background:

Aircraft MechanicAviation Mechanic
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegePurdue UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between aircraft mechanics' and aviation mechanics' demographics:

Aircraft MechanicAviation Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between aircraft mechanic and aviation mechanic duties and responsibilities

Aircraft mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
  • Perform scheduled maintenance tasks in accordance with manufacturer and FAA guidelines.
  • Conduce problem analysis, correction/repairs and operational checks of aircraft avionics, electrical, propulsion and hydraulic systems.
  • Train in OSHA and HAZMAT.
  • Change cables and pulleys command.
  • Obtain and continue MSHA training.
  • Show more

Aviation mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Perform installation, analysis, repair and troubleshooting of integrate avionics systems and aircraft electrical / mechanical systems.
  • Provide support functions for assign internal and external QA audits and reviews.
  • Repair aircraft wings, horizontal/vertical stabilizers, and aircraft panels.
  • Remove and replace ailerons, stabilizers, aileron servos and stabilizer servos.
  • Perform organizational maintenance on anti-submarine/Utility helicopters.

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation mechanic skills

Common aircraft mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Airframe, 6%
  • FAA, 5%
  • Aircraft Systems, 5%
  • Landing Gear, 5%
  • Technical Data, 4%
Common aviation mechanic skills
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Airframe, 7%
  • FAA, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 4%
  • Landing Gear, 4%

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