Weapons mechanic vs mechanic

The differences between weapons mechanics and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a weapons mechanic has an average salary of $57,259, which is higher than the $47,149 average annual salary of a mechanic.

The top three skills for a weapons mechanic include hand tools, fuel systems and landing gear. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Weapons mechanic vs mechanic overview

	Weapons Mechanic	Mechanic
Yearly salary	$57,259	$47,149
Hourly rate	$27.53	$22.67
Growth rate	6%	4%
Number of jobs	33,710	100,534
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	43	42
Years of experience	-	2

Weapons mechanic vs mechanic salary

Weapons mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Weapons Mechanic	Mechanic
Average salary	$57,259	$47,149
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $81,000	Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between weapons mechanic and mechanic education

There are a few differences between a weapons mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Weapons Mechanic	Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Automotive Technology
Most common college	New York University	-

Weapons mechanic vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between weapons mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:

	Weapons Mechanic	Mechanic
Average age	43	42
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 3.2% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between weapons mechanic and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Weapons mechanic example responsibilities.

Load and unload non-nuclear munitions, explosives, and ammunition on aircraft.
Apply technical knowledge of airframe systems in determining equipment malfunctions and apply required expertise in restoring equipment condition to operating status.
Repair microprocessor base electronic systems.

Mechanic example responsibilities.

Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.

Weapons mechanic vs mechanic skills

Common weapons mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 31%
Fuel Systems, 15%
Landing Gear, 12%
Test Equipment, 10%
Aircraft Maintenance, 6%
Functional Checks, 6%

Common mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 7%
Diagnosis, 6%
Electrical Systems, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Weapons Mechanic
Weapons Mechanic vs Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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