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The differences between power plant technicians and aircraft mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a power plant technician and an aircraft mechanic. Additionally, an aircraft mechanic has an average salary of $60,496, which is higher than the $46,681 average annual salary of a power plant technician.
The top three skills for a power plant technician include plant equipment, preventive maintenance and gearboxes. The most important skills for an aircraft mechanic are hand tools, airframe, and FAA.
| Power Plant Technician | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $46,681 | $60,496 |
| Hourly rate | $22.44 | $29.08 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 36,418 | 35,667 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
An aircraft mechanic is responsible for regularly checking and maintaining aircraft systems to ensure its safety and stability during operations. Aircraft mechanics should have extensive knowledge of troubleshooting and detecting system malfunctions. They are also required to adhere strictly with the standard protocols and regulations of the company, guaranteeing smooth procedures and efficient solutions. Aircraft mechanics must possess excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform diagnosis and inspection under minimal supervision. An aircraft mechanic should be able to utilize aviation tools and equipment, document resources, and report findings for safety concerns.
Power plant technicians and aircraft mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Power Plant Technician | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $46,681 | $60,496 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $71,000 | Between $41,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Newport News, VA |
| Highest paying state | - | Maryland |
| Best paying company | - | AECOM |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a power plant technician and an aircraft mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Power Plant Technician | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between power plant technicians' and aircraft mechanics' demographics:
| Power Plant Technician | Aircraft Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |