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The differences between aviation mechanics 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 aviation mechanic and an aircraft structure mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, 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 structure mechanic are calipers, jigs, and stabilizers.
| Aviation Mechanic | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $54,534 | $62,809 |
| Hourly rate | $26.22 | $30.20 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 35,647 | 36,380 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Aviation mechanics and aircraft structure mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aviation Mechanic | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $54,534 | $62,809 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $85,000 | 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 aviation mechanic and an aircraft structure mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aviation Mechanic | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aviation mechanics' and aircraft structure mechanics' demographics:
| Aviation Mechanic | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 9.1% 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% |