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The differences between structures mechanics and structures engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a structures mechanic, becoming a structures engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a structures engineer has an average salary of $73,391, which is higher than the $61,579 average annual salary of a structures mechanic.
The top three skills for a structures mechanic include safety regulations, jigs and ladders. The most important skills for a structures engineer are structural analysis, revit, and RISA.
| Structures Mechanic | Structures Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $61,579 | $73,391 |
| Hourly rate | $29.61 | $35.28 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 38,406 | 20,778 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Structures Mechanic maintains the frame and structural components of machinery. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, as well as perform inspections and supervision of machinery.
A structures engineer works in designing, planning, and overseeing the development of the latest buildings and bridges or modifications and extensions to an existing property or other structures. They are mainly concerned with the safety and capability of the structure to withstand the elements to which they will be exposed--also improving the existing building structural integrity. Part of the task is inspecting properties regarding the conditions/foundation and checking work undertaken by contractors. The job is very similarly related to a civil engineer.
Structures mechanics and structures engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Structures Mechanic | Structures Engineer | |
| Average salary | $61,579 | $73,391 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $84,000 | Between $54,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Aviation Technology Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a structures mechanic and a structures engineer in terms of educational background:
| Structures Mechanic | Structures Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between structures mechanics' and structures engineers' demographics:
| Structures Mechanic | Structures Engineer | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.3% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 5% |