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Aircraft technician vs aviation maintenance technician

The differences between aircraft technicians and aviation maintenance 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 technician and an aviation maintenance technician. Additionally, an aviation maintenance technician has an average salary of $51,794, which is higher than the $50,212 average annual salary of an aircraft technician.

The top three skills for an aircraft technician include FAA, airframe and aircraft components. The most important skills for an aviation maintenance technician are electrical troubleshooting, FAA, and maintenance procedures.

Aircraft technician vs aviation maintenance technician overview

Aircraft TechnicianAviation Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$50,212$51,794
Hourly rate$24.14$24.90
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs28,265102,259
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 37%
Average age4033
Years of experience44

What does an aircraft technician do?

An Aircraft Technician inspects, maintains, and addresses any issues that arise with an aircraft. Their primary duties include diagnosing electrical issues, replacing defective parts, and maintaining aircraft standards.

What does an aviation maintenance technician do?

An Aviation Maintenance Technician carries out repairs and maintenance on all sorts of aircraft, like airplanes and helicopters. They ensure that aircraft are in perfect working condition.

Aircraft technician vs aviation maintenance technician salary

Aircraft technicians and aviation maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Aircraft TechnicianAviation Maintenance Technician
Average salary$50,212$51,794
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyAviation Technology Group-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between aircraft technician and aviation maintenance technician education

There are a few differences between an aircraft technician and an aviation maintenance technician in terms of educational background:

Aircraft TechnicianAviation Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 37%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleStanford University

Aircraft technician vs aviation maintenance technician demographics

Here are the differences between aircraft technicians' and aviation maintenance technicians' demographics:

Aircraft TechnicianAviation Maintenance Technician
Average age4033
Gender ratioMale, 94.1% Female, 5.9%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 6.8% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 29.3% Asian, 4.9% White, 50.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage2%14%

Differences between aircraft technician and aviation maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Aircraft technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead and train personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations.
  • Used micrometers, calipers and depth gauges to verify quality standards are met and document discrepancies.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot malfunctions in CH-47F engines and their components.
  • Perform structural repairs as required and prepare components for NDI inspections by cleaning and striping and repainting components after inspections.
  • Perform structural installation on wing tips, used reamers, drill bushing for hi-lock countersunk rivets, and cherry max fasteners.
  • Perform and supervise the maintenance/repair requirements of helicopter hydraulic/pneumatic systems components.
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Aviation maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Use technical specifications, sketches, manuals, drawings, engineering notices, and FAA forms and publications to accomplish work.
  • Perform scheduled and unschedule maintenance using RF electronic equipment and specialize test equipment.
  • Experience with oxygen/acetylene, Mapp gas brazing.
  • Certify in all power tools, lifts and scaffolding.
  • Utilize PLC and DCS systems to troubleshoot and improve boiler controls.
  • Load daily encryption codes for all cryptographic communication and GPS equipment.
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Aircraft technician vs aviation maintenance technician skills

Common aircraft technician skills
  • FAA, 11%
  • Airframe, 8%
  • Aircraft Components, 7%
  • Aircraft Systems, 5%
  • Ground Support Equipment, 5%
  • Landing Gear, 5%
Common aviation maintenance technician skills
  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 18%
  • FAA, 13%
  • Maintenance Procedures, 10%
  • Airframe, 10%
  • Aircraft Maintenance, 8%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%

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