Post job

Jet mechanic vs airframe mechanic

The differences between jet mechanics and airframe 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 jet mechanic and an airframe mechanic. Additionally, an airframe mechanic has an average salary of $60,976, which is higher than the $60,352 average annual salary of a jet mechanic.

The top three skills for a jet mechanic include FAA, hydraulic systems and fuel systems. The most important skills for an airframe mechanic are landing gear, safety procedures, and hand tools.

Jet mechanic vs airframe mechanic overview

Jet MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Yearly salary$60,352$60,976
Hourly rate$29.02$29.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs34,05934,067
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Jet mechanic vs airframe mechanic salary

Jet mechanics and airframe mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Jet MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Average salary$60,352$60,976
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $43,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between jet mechanic and airframe mechanic education

There are a few differences between a jet mechanic and an airframe mechanic in terms of educational background:

Jet MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeStanford UniversityPurdue University

Jet mechanic vs airframe mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between jet mechanics' and airframe mechanics' demographics:

Jet MechanicAirframe Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.7% Female, 7.3%Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between jet mechanic and airframe mechanic duties and responsibilities

Jet mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Manage aerospace propulsion functions and activities.
  • Perform installation, analysis, repair and troubleshooting of integrate avionics systems and aircraft electrical / mechanical systems.
  • Perform complete disassembly and assembly of the T56-A-14 engine's power section, propeller reduction gearbox, and accessories

Airframe mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Utilize and reference additional supporting documentation including FAA approve engineering data/drawings, supporting company policies/procedures and supervisory instructions.
  • Line maintenance on ATR-42s and Embraer Brazilias.
  • Design and implement tracking checklist for each helicopter to track progress of each modification installation.

Jet mechanic vs airframe mechanic skills

Common jet mechanic skills
  • FAA, 13%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 12%
  • Fuel Systems, 11%
  • Airframe, 11%
  • Technical Manuals, 10%
  • Aircraft Engines, 8%
Common airframe mechanic skills
  • Landing Gear, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Structural Repairs, 8%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 4%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs