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Aviation mechanic vs airframe mechanic

The differences between aviation mechanics and airframe 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 airframe mechanic. Additionally, an airframe mechanic has an average salary of $60,976, 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 airframe mechanic are landing gear, safety procedures, and hand tools.

Aviation mechanic vs airframe mechanic overview

Aviation MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Yearly salary$54,534$60,976
Hourly rate$26.22$29.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs35,64734,067
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Aviation mechanic vs airframe mechanic salary

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

Aviation MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Average salary$54,534$60,976
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $85,000Between $43,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between aviation mechanic and airframe mechanic education

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

Aviation MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdalePurdue University

Aviation mechanic vs airframe mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between aviation mechanics' and airframe mechanics' demographics:

Aviation MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 90.7% Female, 9.3%Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between aviation mechanic and airframe 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.

Airframe mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Utilize and reference additional supporting documentation including FAA approve engineering data/drawings, supporting company policies/procedures and supervisory instructions.
  • Line maintenance on ATR-42s and Embraer Brazilias.
  • Design and implement tracking checklist for each helicopter to track progress of each modification installation.

Aviation mechanic vs airframe mechanic skills

Common aviation mechanic skills
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Airframe, 7%
  • FAA, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 4%
  • Landing Gear, 4%
Common airframe mechanic skills
  • Landing Gear, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Structural Repairs, 8%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 4%

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