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Helicopter mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic

The differences between helicopter 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 helicopter mechanic and an aviation structural mechanic. Additionally, a helicopter mechanic has an average salary of $61,876, which is higher than the $61,535 average annual salary of an aviation structural mechanic.

The top three skills for a helicopter mechanic include hand tools, safety procedures and FAA. The most important skills for an aviation structural mechanic are landing gear, aircraft airframe, and structural components.

Helicopter mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic overview

Helicopter MechanicAviation Structural Mechanic
Yearly salary$61,876$61,535
Hourly rate$29.75$29.58
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs33,95436,647
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Helicopter mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic salary

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

Helicopter MechanicAviation Structural Mechanic
Average salary$61,876$61,535
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $86,000Between $46,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityHollister, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyApple-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between helicopter mechanic and aviation structural mechanic education

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

Helicopter MechanicAviation Structural Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegePurdue UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Helicopter mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic demographics

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

Helicopter MechanicAviation Structural Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 93.0% Female, 7.0%Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.6% 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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between helicopter mechanic and aviation structural mechanic duties and responsibilities

Helicopter mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Used drills, countersinks, deburr tools, and wedge lock guns.
  • Test, troubleshoot and repair advance aircraft hydraulic systems.
  • Complete all repairs and maintenance work to company and FAA standards.
  • Document logs to ensure company compliance of OSHA standards and employee safety.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that it meet FAA standards and that assets are functional.
  • Confer with inspectors, OSHA, EPA, and engineering firms on all construction/code relate issues/developments.
    • Show more

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.
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Helicopter mechanic vs aviation structural mechanic skills

Common helicopter mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • FAA, 6%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 5%
  • Helicopter Maintenance, 5%
  • Landing Gear, 4%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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