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Jet mechanic vs power plant technician

The differences between jet 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 jet mechanic and a power plant technician. Additionally, a jet mechanic has an average salary of $60,352, which is higher than the $46,681 average annual salary of a power plant technician.

The top three skills for a jet mechanic include FAA, hydraulic systems and fuel systems. The most important skills for a power plant technician are plant equipment, preventive maintenance, and gearboxes.

Jet mechanic vs power plant technician overview

Jet MechanicPower Plant Technician
Yearly salary$60,352$46,681
Hourly rate$29.02$22.44
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs34,05936,418
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Associate Degree, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Jet mechanic vs power plant technician salary

Jet mechanics and power plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Jet MechanicPower Plant Technician
Average salary$60,352$46,681
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $30,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between jet mechanic and power plant technician education

There are a few differences between a jet mechanic and a power plant technician in terms of educational background:

Jet MechanicPower Plant Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Associate Degree, 38%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeStanford UniversityPurdue University

Jet mechanic vs power plant technician demographics

Here are the differences between jet mechanics' and power plant technicians' demographics:

Jet MechanicPower Plant Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.7% Female, 7.3%Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 58.2% 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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between jet mechanic and power plant technician duties and responsibilities

Jet mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Manage aerospace propulsion functions and activities.
  • Perform installation, analysis, repair and troubleshooting of integrate avionics systems and aircraft electrical / mechanical systems.
  • Perform complete disassembly and assembly of the T56-A-14 engine's power section, propeller reduction gearbox, and accessories

Power plant technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
  • Maintain and repair industrial machinery such as power transmission components, hydraulics, pneumatics, plumbing systems, and electro-mechanical components.
  • Perform unschedule aircraft line maintenance on 76 assign Cessna 402-C Utiliners.

Jet mechanic vs power plant technician skills

Common jet mechanic skills
  • FAA, 13%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 12%
  • Fuel Systems, 11%
  • Airframe, 11%
  • Technical Manuals, 10%
  • Aircraft Engines, 8%
Common power plant technician skills
  • Plant Equipment, 13%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • Gearboxes, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Maintenance Procedures, 5%

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