Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between aircraft mechanics and structures 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 a structures mechanic. Additionally, a structures mechanic has an average salary of $61,579, 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 a structures mechanic are safety regulations, jigs, and ladders.
| Aircraft Mechanic | Structures Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $60,496 | $61,579 |
| Hourly rate | $29.08 | $29.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 35,667 | 38,406 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aircraft mechanic is responsible for regularly checking and maintaining aircraft systems to ensure its safety and stability during operations. Aircraft mechanics should have extensive knowledge of troubleshooting and detecting system malfunctions. They are also required to adhere strictly with the standard protocols and regulations of the company, guaranteeing smooth procedures and efficient solutions. Aircraft mechanics must possess excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform diagnosis and inspection under minimal supervision. An aircraft mechanic should be able to utilize aviation tools and equipment, document resources, and report findings for safety concerns.
A Structures Mechanic maintains the frame and structural components of machinery. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, as well as perform inspections and supervision of machinery.
Aircraft mechanics and structures mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Mechanic | Structures Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $60,496 | $61,579 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $87,000 | Between $45,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newport News, VA | Fairbanks, AK |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Alaska |
| Best paying company | AECOM | Aviation Technology Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft mechanic and a structures mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Mechanic | Structures Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft mechanics' and structures mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Mechanic | Structures Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |