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The differences between aircraft maintenance technicians and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an aircraft maintenance technician, becoming a mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an aircraft maintenance technician has an average salary of $53,026, which is higher than the $47,149 average annual salary of a mechanic.
The top three skills for an aircraft maintenance technician include FAA, airframe and powerplant. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $53,026 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $25.49 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 105,268 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.
Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.
Aircraft maintenance technicians and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $53,026 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Citi | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft maintenance technician and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between aircraft maintenance technicians' and mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| 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, 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 | 2% | 2% |