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Aviation mechanic vs avionics technician

The differences between aviation mechanics and avionics technicians 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 avionics technician. Additionally, an avionics technician has an average salary of $55,545, 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 avionics technician are FAA, hand tools, and electrical systems.

Aviation mechanic vs avionics technician overview

Aviation MechanicAvionics Technician
Yearly salary$54,534$55,545
Hourly rate$26.22$26.70
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs35,64725,603
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age4033
Years of experience44

Aviation mechanic vs avionics technician salary

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

Aviation MechanicAvionics Technician
Average salary$54,534$55,545
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $85,000Between $40,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-Everett, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Aerotek
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between aviation mechanic and avionics technician education

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

Aviation MechanicAvionics Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorAviationElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdalePurdue University

Aviation mechanic vs avionics technician demographics

Here are the differences between aviation mechanics' and avionics technicians' demographics:

Aviation MechanicAvionics Technician
Average age4033
Gender ratioMale, 90.7% Female, 9.3%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 27.5% Asian, 5.4% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage2%14%

Differences between aviation mechanic and avionics technician 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.

Avionics technician example responsibilities.

  • Work regularly on the radar and GPS for helicopters while simultaneously dealing and managing supplies by keeping track of all equipment.
  • Repair vhf, uhf, dme, lru, and radios.Uses various hand tools.
  • Maintain GPS navigation systems, flight guidance controls, radar, entertainment systems, and aircraft self defense systems.
  • Utilize aircraft technical manuals, and technical drawings to troubleshoot, and maintain aircraft systems in a flyable status.
  • Test and troubleshoot avionics systems upon completion of modification process.
  • License airframe and power plant technician responsible for aircraft avionics and electrical systems.
  • Show more

Aviation mechanic vs avionics technician skills

Common aviation mechanic skills
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Airframe, 7%
  • FAA, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 4%
  • Landing Gear, 4%
Common avionics technician skills
  • FAA, 11%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Engineering Drawings, 4%
  • Avionics Equipment, 4%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 4%

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