Post job

Pilot plant technician vs pilot

The differences between pilot plant technicians and pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a pilot plant technician and a pilot. Additionally, a pilot has an average salary of $83,128, which is higher than the $55,161 average annual salary of a pilot plant technician.

The top three skills for a pilot plant technician include pilot plant equipment, safety procedures and GMP. The most important skills for a pilot are PIC, pilot-in-command, and flight operations.

Pilot plant technician vs pilot overview

Pilot Plant TechnicianPilot
Yearly salary$55,161$83,128
Hourly rate$26.52$39.97
Growth rate9%6%
Number of jobs23,4853,049
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4044
Years of experience44

What does a pilot plant technician do?

Pilot plant technicians need relevant pilot plant experience or experience in a food manufacturing environment, as well as knowledge of operation and maintenance of pilot plant equipment. Paid salaries of $48K per year, those in this career are expected to operate experimental pilot plants, assist with experimental design, and develop new processes in chemical engineering and production.

What does a pilot do?

A pilot is an individual who works in the aviation industry to operate aircraft and transport passengers and cargos from one location to another. Pilots can fly and navigate different types of aircrafts such as helicopters, large commercial aircraft, or cargo planes. They must perform pre-flight inspections and check flight logs to secure safety for all crews and passengers who are on board. Pilots can also decide to work as flight instructors or establish an aviation school when they have gained enough experience in the aviation industry.

Pilot plant technician vs pilot salary

Pilot plant technicians and pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pilot Plant TechnicianPilot
Average salary$55,161$83,128
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $70,000Between $58,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyKoppersHP
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTransportation

Differences between pilot plant technician and pilot education

There are a few differences between a pilot plant technician and a pilot in terms of educational background:

Pilot Plant TechnicianPilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorChemistryAviation
Most common collegeDuke UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Pilot plant technician vs pilot demographics

Here are the differences between pilot plant technicians' and pilots' demographics:

Pilot Plant TechnicianPilot
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 89.0% Female, 11.0%Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage6%9%

Differences between pilot plant technician and pilot duties and responsibilities

Pilot plant technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing technical and regulatory site visits to the laboratory and interface with QA and RA on all vendor/regulatory audits.
  • Complete daily paperwork following FDA and HACCP guidelines
  • Assist engineers in testing and adjusting production requirements as needed to meet FDA specifications.
  • Perform high voltage cable installation, testing/replacing GFCI breakers, test/repair emergency lighting, test motors and troubleshoot HVAC units.
  • Perform QC manufacturing final inspection.
  • Operate and troubleshoot experimental projects with little supervision.
  • Show more

Pilot example responsibilities.

  • Pilot company Lear 35 and manage the department.
  • Manage the UAV payload on the ground and in the air to meet customer expectations.
  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Supervise aircraft maintenance activity on P-3C patrol and UH-1N helicopter aircraft.
  • Transport people and parts to offshore facilities in VFR and IFR conditions
  • Serve as remote pic and visual observer on a team on various projects involving UAV applications.
  • Show more

Pilot plant technician vs pilot skills

Common pilot plant technician skills
  • Pilot Plant Equipment, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • GMP, 8%
  • R, 6%
  • Lab Equipment, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
Common pilot skills
  • PIC, 16%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 13%
  • Flight Operations, 8%
  • ATP, 7%
  • Helicopter, 5%
  • Federal Aviation, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs