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The differences between aircraft structure mechanics and power plant technicians 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 structure mechanic and a power plant technician. Additionally, an aircraft structure mechanic has an average salary of $62,809, which is higher than the $46,681 average annual salary of a power plant technician.
The top three skills for an aircraft structure mechanic include calipers, jigs and stabilizers. The most important skills for a power plant technician are plant equipment, preventive maintenance, and gearboxes.
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $62,809 | $46,681 |
| Hourly rate | $30.20 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 36,380 | 36,418 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Power plant technicians, paid at an average of $790K per year, must have skills in concentration, dexterity, mechanics, and problem-solving. They will need a high school diploma or GED at the very least, though some employers do prefer a college or vocational school degree, as well as strong math and science backgrounds. Those who choose this career will be called on to controlling and monitoring -power plant equipment, like boilers, turbines, and generators.
Aircraft structure mechanics and power plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average salary | $62,809 | $46,681 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $85,000 | Between $30,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Erickson | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between an aircraft structure mechanic and a power plant technician in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft structure mechanics' and power plant technicians' demographics:
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |