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The differences between aircraft refuelers and aircraft 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 mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft mechanic has an average salary of $60,496, 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 mechanic are hand tools, airframe, and FAA.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $32,978 | $60,496 |
| Hourly rate | $15.85 | $29.08 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 3,254 | 35,667 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| 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.
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.
Aircraft refuelers and aircraft mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $32,978 | $60,496 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $41,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | Newport News, VA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation | AECOM |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an aircraft refueler and an aircraft mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft refuelers' and aircraft mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |