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Aircraft structure mechanic education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an aircraft structure mechanic. Aircraft structure mechanics usually study aviation, automotive technology, or business. 37% of aircraft structure mechanics hold a associate degree, and 26% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 1,684 real aircraft structure mechanic resumes to see exactly what aircraft structure mechanic education sections show.

The most common colleges for aircraft structure mechanics are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online aircraft structure mechanic courses to help get the education required to be an aircraft structure mechanic.

There are certain aircraft structure mechanic certifications that you should consider. These aircraft structure mechanic certifications include Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and Mechanical Inspector Certification (CMI).

What education do you need to become an aircraft structure mechanic?

What degree do you need to be an aircraft structure mechanic?

The most common degree for aircraft structure mechanics is associate degree, with 37% of aircraft structure mechanics earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 26% and high school diploma degree at 22%.
  • Associate, 37%
  • High School Diploma, 26%
  • Bachelor's, 22%
  • Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become an aircraft structure mechanic?

You should major in aviation to become an aircraft structure mechanic. 24% of aircraft structure mechanics major in aviation. Other common majors for an aircraft structure mechanic include automotive technology and business.

Most common colleges for aircraft structure mechanics

Aircraft structure mechanics often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach, and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Here are the most common colleges for aircraft structure mechanics in the US based on their resumes.
Aircraft structure mechanic common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix17.39%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach10.14%
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology8.70%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale7.25%
Southern California Institute of Technology4.35%

Best majors for aircraft structure mechanics

RankMajorPercentages
1Aviation24.5%
2Automotive Technology14.6%
3Business13.7%
4Civil Engineering6.9%
5General Studies6.3%

Best colleges for aircraft structure mechanics

The best colleges for aircraft structure mechanics are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.

An aircraft structure mechanic with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for aircraft structure mechanics. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become aircraft structure mechanics.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

3. Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS • Private

In-state tuition

$10,383

Enrollment

17,611

4. Baker College

Owosso, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$9,800

Enrollment

8,319

5. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

6. Worldwide Campus

Daytona Beach, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$9,360

Enrollment

10,254

7. Utah State University

Logan, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$8,138

Enrollment

21,658

8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

9. Lewis University

Romeoville, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$32,450

Enrollment

4,217

10. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

20 best online courses for aircraft structure mechanics

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Top 10 most affordable universities for aircraft structure mechanics

The most affordable schools for aircraft structure mechanics are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university - idaho, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.

If the best universities for aircraft structure mechanics are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for aircraft structure mechanics.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Durant, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$6,750

Cost of attendance

15,839

7. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,194

Cost of attendance

14,934

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for aircraft structure mechanics

The hardest universities for aircraft structure mechanics to get into are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.

Some great schools for aircraft structure mechanics are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for aircraft structure mechanics based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

2. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,359

3. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

4. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,307

5. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,091

6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

7. Lewis University

Romeoville, IL • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,142

8. Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, FL • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,264

9. Walla Walla University

College Place, WA • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,114

10. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,133

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for aircraft structure mechanics

The easiest schools for aircraft structure mechanics to get into are South Dakota State University, suny farmingdale, and brigham young university - idaho.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an aircraft structure mechanic without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for aircraft structure mechanics.

1. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,091

3. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

4. Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, MA • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,073

5. University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, MN • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,104

6. Middle Georgia State University

Macon, GA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

980

7. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

8. Salem State University

Salem, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,065

9. Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,107

10. Averett University

Danville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

953

Average aircraft structure mechanic salary by education level

According to our data, aircraft structure mechanics with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $68,447 annually. Aircraft structure mechanics with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $68,414.
Aircraft structure mechanic education levelAircraft structure mechanic salary
High School Diploma or Less$62,132
Bachelor's Degree$68,447
Some College/ Associate Degree$68,414

Aircraft structure mechanic education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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