Operational test mechanic vs mechanical inspector

The differences between operational test mechanics and mechanical inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mechanical inspector has an average salary of $49,727, which is higher than the $42,957 average annual salary of an operational test mechanic.

The top three skills for an operational test mechanic include R, functional test and QC. The most important skills for a mechanical inspector are calipers, micrometers, and mechanical inspection.

Operational test mechanic vs mechanical inspector overview

	Operational Test Mechanic	Mechanical Inspector
Yearly salary	$42,957	$49,727
Hourly rate	$20.65	$23.91
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	51,939	33,863
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Operational test mechanic vs mechanical inspector salary

Operational test mechanics and mechanical inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operational Test Mechanic	Mechanical Inspector
Average salary	$42,957	$49,727
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $64,000	Between $36,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	North Kingstown, RI	Omaha, NE
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Connecticut
Best paying company	Bristol-Myers Squibb	PBF Energy
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between operational test mechanic and mechanical inspector education

There are a few differences between an operational test mechanic and a mechanical inspector in terms of educational background:

	Operational Test Mechanic	Mechanical Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Operational test mechanic vs mechanical inspector demographics

Here are the differences between operational test mechanics' and mechanical inspectors' demographics:

	Operational Test Mechanic	Mechanical Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between operational test mechanic and mechanical inspector duties and responsibilities

Operational test mechanic example responsibilities.

Box build sub-assembly level by solder wire into connector, lead, and fan according to MPI and visuals aid.
Perform basic QC for components and complete system.
Provide construction and testing of electro-mechanical sub-assemblies for high quality medical equipment build from blueprints and schematics.
Ensure that daily automate regression testing is running and completing successfully.

Mechanical inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect parts to blueprints using all measuring equipment; micrometer, surface plate, calipers, customer certifications and P.O.
Review vendor supply certifications and first article inspection reports for accurate completion of documentation.
Draft ISO's as needed.
Adhere to FDA and ISO compliance.
Assemble composite assemblies in jigs.
Program and operate Mitutoyo CMM.

Operational test mechanic vs mechanical inspector skills

Common operational test mechanic skills

R, 44%
Functional Test, 38%
QC, 18%

Common mechanical inspector skills

Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
Mechanical Inspection, 8%
GD, 6%
Engineering Drawings, 6%
Aerospace, 4%

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Operational Test Mechanic
Operational Test Mechanic vs Mechanical Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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