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The differences between diesel mechanics and aviation mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a diesel mechanic, becoming an aviation mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an aviation mechanic has an average salary of $54,534, which is higher than the $49,842 average annual salary of a diesel mechanic.
The top three skills for a diesel mechanic include CDL, preventative maintenance and DOT. The most important skills for an aviation mechanic are safety procedures, hand tools, and airframe.
| Diesel Mechanic | Aviation Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $49,842 | $54,534 |
| Hourly rate | $23.96 | $26.22 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 85,684 | 35,647 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Diesel mechanics and aviation mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Mechanic | Aviation Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $49,842 | $54,534 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $67,000 | Between $34,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | Hensel Phelps | - |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a diesel mechanic and an aviation mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Mechanic | Aviation Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Aviation |
| Most common college | - | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between diesel mechanics' and aviation mechanics' demographics:
| Diesel Mechanic | Aviation Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.0% 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% |