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The differences between aircraft refuelers and aircraft structure 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 structure mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, 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 structure mechanic are calipers, jigs, and stabilizers.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $32,978 | $62,809 |
| Hourly rate | $15.85 | $30.20 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 3,254 | 36,380 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| 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.
Aircraft structure mechanics are skilled professionals who are responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft components and airframe structural supports. These mechanics are required to use hand tools and testing equipment to perform repairs and troubleshoot aircraft components. They must conduct inspections and troubleshooting of aircraft systems and related aviation equipment to isolate faults and determine the required repairs or replacements. Aircraft structure mechanics must also interpret maintenance manuals so that they can determine the feasibility and method of repairing malfunctioning components.
Aircraft refuelers and aircraft structure mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $32,978 | $62,809 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $46,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation | Erickson |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft refueler and an aircraft structure mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft refuelers' and aircraft structure mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Refueler | Aircraft Structure Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |