Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic

The differences between aviation structural 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 structural mechanic and an aircraft engine mechanic. Additionally, an aviation structural mechanic has an average salary of $61,535, which is higher than the $56,092 average annual salary of an aircraft engine mechanic.

The top three skills for an aviation structural mechanic include landing gear, aircraft airframe and structural components. The most important skills for an aircraft engine mechanic are troubleshoot, hand tools, and security clearance.

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic overview

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Yearly salary	$61,535	$56,092
Hourly rate	$29.58	$26.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	36,647	37,033
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Associate Degree, 41%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic salary

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

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Average salary	$61,535	$56,092
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $82,000	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 structural mechanic and aircraft engine mechanic education

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

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

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic demographics

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

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%	Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% 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 structural mechanic and aircraft engine mechanic duties and responsibilities

Aviation structural mechanic example responsibilities.

Attain CDI, work center supervisor, and hydraulic contamination qualifications along with numerous others.
Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
Reinforce junior personnel's ability to utilize technical publications while performing maintenance thus increasing their ability to troubleshoot and repair discrepancies.
Maintain HAZMAT inventory as primary for AIMD.
Used x-ray machines to retrieve FOD from flaps.
Perform integrated combat turns and hot pit refuels.

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 structural mechanic vs aircraft engine mechanic skills

Common aviation structural mechanic skills

Landing Gear, 10%
Aircraft Airframe, 6%
Structural Components, 5%
Pneumatic Systems, 5%
Ground Support Equipment, 5%
Corrosion Control, 4%

Common aircraft engine mechanic skills

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

Aviation Structural Mechanic vs. similar jobs

Aviation Structural Mechanic related careers

Aviation Structural Mechanic related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Aviation Structural Mechanic
Aviation Structural Mechanic vs Aircraft Engine Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs