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The differences between aircraft refuelers 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 refueler and an aircraft engine mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft engine mechanic has an average salary of $56,092, which is higher than the $32,978 average annual salary of an aircraft refueler.
The top three skills for an aircraft refueler include customer service, FBO and private aircraft. The most important skills for an aircraft engine mechanic are troubleshoot, hand tools, and security clearance.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $32,978 | $56,092 |
| Hourly rate | $15.85 | $26.97 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 3,254 | 37,033 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Primarily, aircraft fuelers are responsible for fueling and maintaining aircraft of different sizes. The fuelers make sure that the fuel of the aircraft is ready for takeoff. They safely hook up and unhook the equipment, fill fuel for the airplane's wings, and fill out its fuel transaction forms. Their job includes quality control of the aircraft equipment on a daily basis. They must be comfortable in using numbers for the calculation of fuel weight and volume.
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 refuelers and aircraft engine mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $32,978 | $56,092 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $36,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an aircraft refueler and an aircraft engine mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft refuelers' and aircraft engine mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Engine Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 54.9% 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% |