Aircraft mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic

The differences between aircraft mechanics and aviation structural 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 structural mechanic. Additionally, an aviation structural mechanic has an average salary of $61,535, which is higher than the $60,496 average annual salary of an aircraft mechanic.

The top three skills for an aircraft mechanic include hand tools, airframe and FAA. The most important skills for an aviation structural mechanic are landing gear, aircraft airframe, and structural components.

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic overview

	Aircraft Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Yearly salary	$60,496	$61,535
Hourly rate	$29.08	$29.58
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	35,667	36,647
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic salary

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

	Aircraft Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Average salary	$60,496	$61,535
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $87,000	Between $46,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Newport News, VA	-
Highest paying state	Maryland	-
Best paying company	AECOM	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between aircraft mechanic and aviation structural mechanic education

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

	Aircraft Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Purdue University	SUNY Farmingdale

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic demographics

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

	Aircraft Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between aircraft mechanic and aviation structural 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.

Aviation structural mechanic example responsibilities.

Attain CDI, work center supervisor, and hydraulic contamination qualifications along with numerous others.
Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
Reinforce junior personnel's ability to utilize technical publications while performing maintenance thus increasing their ability to troubleshoot and repair discrepancies.
Maintain HAZMAT inventory as primary for AIMD.
Used x-ray machines to retrieve FOD from flaps.
Perform integrated combat turns and hot pit refuels.

Aircraft mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic skills

Common aircraft mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 11%
Airframe, 6%
FAA, 5%
Aircraft Systems, 5%
Landing Gear, 5%
Technical Data, 4%

Common aviation structural mechanic skills

Landing Gear, 10%
Aircraft Airframe, 6%
Structural Components, 5%
Pneumatic Systems, 5%
Ground Support Equipment, 5%
Corrosion Control, 4%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft Mechanic vs Aviation Structural Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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