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The differences between aircraft maintenance technicians and aircraft engine mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aircraft maintenance technician and an aircraft engine mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft engine mechanic has an average salary of $56,092, which is higher than the $53,026 average annual salary of an aircraft maintenance technician.
The top three skills for an aircraft maintenance technician include FAA, airframe and powerplant. The most important skills for an aircraft engine mechanic are troubleshoot, hand tools, and security clearance.
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $53,026 | $56,092 |
| Hourly rate | $25.49 | $26.97 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 105,268 | 37,033 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.
The Aircraft Engine Mechanic maintains the serviceability of all aircraft under the mechanic's care. They use manuals, blueprints and run diagnostics on aircraft engines. The mechanic tasks are to conduct repairs and maintenance and provide suggestions and recommendations for upgrades. Aircraft Engine Mechanics are crucial for any aviation company, as every part of the aircraft's engine should be in working order before the flight. The mechanic will also inspect the plane if its engine is still within the engine regulations.
Aircraft maintenance technicians and aircraft engine mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $53,026 | $56,092 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $36,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Citi | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an aircraft maintenance technician and an aircraft engine mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft maintenance technicians' and aircraft engine mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |