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The differences between aircraft workers and aircraft structure 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 worker and an aircraft structure mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, which is higher than the $41,205 average annual salary of an aircraft worker.
The top three skills for an aircraft worker include hand tools, landing gear and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for an aircraft structure mechanic are calipers, jigs, and stabilizers.
| Aircraft Worker | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,205 | $62,809 |
| Hourly rate | $19.81 | $30.20 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 24,269 | 36,380 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aircraft worker has similar responsibilities to an aircraft mechanic; they focus on maintaining the aircraft, determining potential problems, and providing immediate solutions. An aircraft worker or mechanic is part of the maintenance team. They work to keep all aircraft under their custody in working order. This position requires full knowledge in aircraft engineering, expertise in engine maintenance, and knowledge of all aircraft safety protocols.
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 workers and aircraft structure mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Worker | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,205 | $62,809 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $46,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Erickson |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft worker and an aircraft structure mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Worker | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft workers' and aircraft structure mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Worker | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 5.4% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |