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Aircraft maintenance technician vs technician

The differences between aircraft maintenance technicians and technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an aircraft maintenance technician has an average salary of $53,026, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for an aircraft maintenance technician include FAA, airframe and powerplant. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Aircraft maintenance technician vs technician overview

Aircraft Maintenance TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$53,026$38,045
Hourly rate$25.49$18.29
Growth rate6%1%
Number of jobs105,268596,842
Job satisfaction52
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4040
Years of experience42

What does an aircraft maintenance technician do?

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Aircraft maintenance technician vs technician salary

Aircraft maintenance technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Aircraft Maintenance TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$53,026$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $75,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaHawaii
Best paying companyCitiMicrosoft
Best paying industryGovernmentTelecommunication

Differences between aircraft maintenance technician and technician education

There are a few differences between an aircraft maintenance technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

Aircraft Maintenance TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorAviationBusiness
Most common collegePurdue University-

Aircraft maintenance technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between aircraft maintenance technicians' and technicians' demographics:

Aircraft Maintenance TechnicianTechnician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 93.6% Female, 6.4%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between aircraft maintenance technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Aircraft maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
  • Work in building maintenance HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
  • Develop lesson plans using ISD utilizing PowerPoint, excel and word documents.
  • Prepare daily lesson plans, handout materials, overhead transparencies, PowerPoint slides, and other training aids.
  • Install, repair, troubleshoot aviation and navigation systems install on military aircraft
  • Maintain all photo and etch equipment.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Aircraft maintenance technician vs technician skills

Common aircraft maintenance technician skills
  • FAA, 11%
  • Airframe, 11%
  • Powerplant, 9%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Aircraft Components, 5%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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