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The differences between aircraft structure mechanics and aircraft maintenance technicians 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 structure mechanic and an aircraft maintenance technician. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, which is higher than the $53,026 average annual salary of an aircraft maintenance technician.
The top three skills for an aircraft structure mechanic include calipers, jigs and stabilizers. The most important skills for an aircraft maintenance technician are FAA, airframe, and powerplant.
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Aircraft Maintenance Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $62,809 | $53,026 |
| Hourly rate | $30.20 | $25.49 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 36,380 | 105,268 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Aircraft structure mechanics are skilled professionals who are responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft components and airframe structural supports. These mechanics are required to use hand tools and testing equipment to perform repairs and troubleshoot aircraft components. They must conduct inspections and troubleshooting of aircraft systems and related aviation equipment to isolate faults and determine the required repairs or replacements. Aircraft structure mechanics must also interpret maintenance manuals so that they can determine the feasibility and method of repairing malfunctioning components.
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.
Aircraft structure mechanics and aircraft maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Aircraft Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $62,809 | $53,026 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $85,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Erickson | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Government |
There are a few differences between an aircraft structure mechanic and an aircraft maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Aircraft Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft structure mechanics' and aircraft maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Aircraft Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |