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The differences between aircraft workers and helicopter 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 worker and a helicopter mechanic. Additionally, a helicopter mechanic has an average salary of $61,876, which is higher than the $41,205 average annual salary of an aircraft worker.
The top three skills for an aircraft worker include hand tools, landing gear and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for a helicopter mechanic are hand tools, safety procedures, and FAA.
| Aircraft Worker | Helicopter Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,205 | $61,876 |
| Hourly rate | $19.81 | $29.75 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 24,269 | 33,954 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aircraft worker has similar responsibilities to an aircraft mechanic; they focus on maintaining the aircraft, determining potential problems, and providing immediate solutions. An aircraft worker or mechanic is part of the maintenance team. They work to keep all aircraft under their custody in working order. This position requires full knowledge in aircraft engineering, expertise in engine maintenance, and knowledge of all aircraft safety protocols.
A helicopter mechanic is tasked with making sure all a helicopter's parts are good and working well. They thoroughly inspect and ensure that the helicopter and other aircraft meet standard regulations and are fit for flight. A helicopter mechanic is well versed in mechanics and has excellent problem-solving and computer skills. They repair and maintain both civilian and military helicopters. They may work at airfields or runways.
Aircraft workers and helicopter mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Worker | Helicopter Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,205 | $61,876 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $44,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hollister, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an aircraft worker and a helicopter mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Worker | Helicopter Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between aircraft workers' and helicopter mechanics' demographics:
| Aircraft Worker | Helicopter Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4% | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 5.4% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |