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The differences between structures 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 structures mechanic and a power plant technician. Additionally, a structures mechanic has an average salary of $61,579, which is higher than the $46,681 average annual salary of a power plant technician.
The top three skills for a structures mechanic include safety regulations, jigs and ladders. The most important skills for a power plant technician are plant equipment, preventive maintenance, and gearboxes.
| Structures Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $61,579 | $46,681 |
| Hourly rate | $29.61 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 38,406 | 36,418 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Structures Mechanic maintains the frame and structural components of machinery. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, as well as perform inspections and supervision of machinery.
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.
Structures mechanics and power plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Structures Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average salary | $61,579 | $46,681 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $84,000 | Between $30,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Aviation Technology Group | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a structures mechanic and a power plant technician in terms of educational background:
| Structures Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between structures mechanics' and power plant technicians' demographics:
| Structures Mechanic | Power Plant Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.1% 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% |