Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft structure mechanic

The differences between aviation structural 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 structural mechanic and an aircraft structure mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, which is higher than the $61,535 average annual salary of an aviation structural 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 structure mechanic are calipers, jigs, and stabilizers.

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft structure mechanic overview

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Structure Mechanic
Yearly salary	$61,535	$62,809
Hourly rate	$29.58	$30.20
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	36,647	36,380
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Associate Degree, 37%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft structure mechanic salary

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

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Structure Mechanic
Average salary	$61,535	$62,809
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $82,000	Between $46,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City	-	Lakewood, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Erickson
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between aviation structural mechanic and aircraft structure mechanic education

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

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Structure Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Associate Degree, 37%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	Purdue University

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft structure mechanic demographics

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

	Aviation Structural Mechanic	Aircraft Structure Mechanic
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
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, 9.1% 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%

Differences between aviation structural mechanic and aircraft structure 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 structure mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage QA programs to include aircraft turn-up and monitoring and FOD prevention
Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
Work as an aircraft mechanic in the USAF.
Act as liaison between USAF shop personnel and company management.
Follow appropriate safety instructions, such as requirements by OSHA.
Drill precision holes using drill bushings, core drills, reamers.

Aviation structural mechanic vs aircraft structure 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 structure mechanic skills

Calipers, 23%
Jigs, 21%
Stabilizers, 9%
Hand Tools, 6%
Engineering Drawings, 3%
Airframe, 3%

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 Structure Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs