Flight test mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic

The differences between flight test mechanics and aviation structural mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight test mechanic and an aviation structural mechanic. Additionally, an aviation structural mechanic has an average salary of $61,535, which is higher than the $59,974 average annual salary of a flight test mechanic.

The top three skills for a flight test mechanic include electrical systems, ground support equipment and aircraft structures. The most important skills for an aviation structural mechanic are landing gear, aircraft airframe, and structural components.

Flight test mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic overview

	Flight Test Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Yearly salary	$59,974	$61,535
Hourly rate	$28.83	$29.58
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	52,936	36,647
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Flight test mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic salary

Flight test mechanics and aviation structural mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Flight Test Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Average salary	$59,974	$61,535
Salary range	Between $44,000 And $80,000	Between $46,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between flight test mechanic and aviation structural mechanic education

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

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

Flight test mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between flight test mechanics' and aviation structural mechanics' demographics:

	Flight Test Mechanic	Aviation Structural Mechanic
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2%	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 5.8% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between flight test mechanic and aviation structural mechanic duties and responsibilities

Flight test mechanic example responsibilities.

Work with FAA personnel inspecting aircraft upon arrival to airfield.
Inspect complete work to certify that maintenance meets FAA standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
Receive and implement combat orders and direct deployment of personnel in offensive, defensive operations.

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.

Flight test mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic skills

Common flight test mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 18%
Ground Support Equipment, 17%
Aircraft Structures, 7%
Hydraulic Systems, 5%
Aircraft Systems, 4%
Flight Control, 3%

Common aviation structural mechanic skills

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

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Flight Test Mechanic vs Aviation Structural Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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