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The differences between aircraft mechanics and electricians 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 mechanic, becoming an electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an aircraft mechanic has an average salary of $60,496, which is higher than the $48,850 average annual salary of an electrician.
The top three skills for an aircraft mechanic include hand tools, airframe and FAA. The most important skills for an electrician are hand tools, electrical equipment, and run conduit.
| Aircraft Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Yearly salary | $60,496 | $48,850 |
| Hourly rate | $29.08 | $23.49 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 35,667 | 17,245 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.86 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
An aircraft mechanic is responsible for regularly checking and maintaining aircraft systems to ensure its safety and stability during operations. Aircraft mechanics should have extensive knowledge of troubleshooting and detecting system malfunctions. They are also required to adhere strictly with the standard protocols and regulations of the company, guaranteeing smooth procedures and efficient solutions. Aircraft mechanics must possess excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform diagnosis and inspection under minimal supervision. An aircraft mechanic should be able to utilize aviation tools and equipment, document resources, and report findings for safety concerns.
An electrician is a skilled tradesman in charge of wirings and systems which provide electric power to a facility. They are trained to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical wiring systems. There are four basic types of an electrician - residential wiremen, inside wiremen, telecommunications electrician, and outside linemen. Some work on a standard 40-hour week shift while others are on-call duty. In some cases, traveling is also a vital key to their role where they would work for a few days before moving to another location.
Aircraft mechanics and electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Average salary | $60,496 | $48,850 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $87,000 | Between $32,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Alaska |
| Best paying company | AECOM | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Government | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an aircraft mechanic and an electrician in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between aircraft mechanics' and electricians' demographics:
| Aircraft Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 3% |