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The differences between aircraft workers 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 worker and a structures mechanic. Additionally, a structures mechanic has an average salary of $61,579, 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 a structures mechanic are safety regulations, jigs, and ladders.
| Aircraft Worker | Structures Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,205 | $61,579 |
| Hourly rate | $19.81 | $29.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 24,269 | 38,406 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| 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.
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 workers and structures mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Worker | Structures Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,205 | $61,579 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $45,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Fairbanks, AK |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Aviation Technology Group |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft worker and a structures mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Worker | Structures Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft workers' and structures mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Worker | Structures Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4% | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% |
| 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, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |