Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between helicopter 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 a helicopter mechanic and a power plant technician. Additionally, a helicopter mechanic has an average salary of $61,876, which is higher than the $46,681 average annual salary of a power plant technician.
The top three skills for a helicopter mechanic include hand tools, safety procedures and FAA. The most important skills for a power plant technician are plant equipment, preventive maintenance, and gearboxes.
| Helicopter Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $61,876 | $46,681 |
| Hourly rate | $29.75 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 33,954 | 36,418 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Helicopter mechanics and power plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Helicopter Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average salary | $61,876 | $46,681 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $86,000 | Between $30,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hollister, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a helicopter mechanic and a power plant technician in terms of educational background:
| Helicopter Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between helicopter mechanics' and power plant technicians' demographics:
| Helicopter Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |