Aviation mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic

The differences between aviation mechanics and aircraft engine 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 aviation mechanic and an aircraft engine mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft engine mechanic has an average salary of $56,092, which is higher than the $54,534 average annual salary of an aviation mechanic.

The top three skills for an aviation mechanic include safety procedures, hand tools and airframe. The most important skills for an aircraft engine mechanic are troubleshoot, hand tools, and security clearance.

Aviation mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic overview

	Aviation Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Yearly salary	$54,534	$56,092
Hourly rate	$26.22	$26.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	35,647	37,033
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Associate Degree, 41%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aviation mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic salary

Aviation mechanics and aircraft engine mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Aviation Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Average salary	$54,534	$56,092
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $85,000	Between $36,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	General Electric
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between aviation mechanic and aircraft engine mechanic education

There are a few differences between an aviation mechanic and an aircraft engine mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Aviation Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Associate Degree, 41%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	Purdue University

Aviation mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between aviation mechanics' and aircraft engine mechanics' demographics:

	Aviation Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%	Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between aviation mechanic and aircraft engine mechanic duties and responsibilities

Aviation mechanic example responsibilities.

Perform installation, analysis, repair and troubleshooting of integrate avionics systems and aircraft electrical / mechanical systems.
Provide support functions for assign internal and external QA audits and reviews.
Repair aircraft wings, horizontal/vertical stabilizers, and aircraft panels.
Remove and replace ailerons, stabilizers, aileron servos and stabilizer servos.
Perform organizational maintenance on anti-submarine/Utility helicopters.

Aircraft engine mechanic example responsibilities.

Lead and train personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations.
Apply technical knowledge of airframe systems in determining equipment malfunctions and apply required expertise in restoring equipment condition to operating status.
Qualify in CPR and up to first responders level.
Perform depot level overhaul contract maintenance on foreign and domestic customer jet engines.

Aviation mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic skills

Common aviation mechanic skills

Safety Procedures, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Airframe, 7%
FAA, 7%
Routine Maintenance, 4%
Landing Gear, 4%

Common aircraft engine mechanic skills

Troubleshoot, 10%
Hand Tools, 9%
Security Clearance, 8%
Test Equipment, 5%
Ladders, 5%
Gearboxes, 4%

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Aviation Mechanic vs Aircraft Engine Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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