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Agricultural Technicians vs. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Who Earns More?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians out-earn Agricultural Technicians by $30K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Technicians land at $49,630 and Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians at $79,870. The education gap is real: agricultural technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft mechanics and service technician programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians is Iowa ($64,070); for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians it's New Jersey ($105,370).

Agricultural Technicians
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Median salary
$49,630
$79,870
Hourly rate
$23.86/hr
$38.4/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,980
$48,780
Senior level (90th %)
$76,480
$128,890
Education required
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
15,130
138,090
Job growth (10-year)
4.3%
4%
Category
Science
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Iowa
New Jersey

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Technicians median pay.

State
Agricultural Technicians
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
California
$60,320
$86,100
Minnesota
$57,310
$81,980
New Jersey
$54,370
$105,370
Delaware
$52,510
$83,550
Texas
$50,270
$84,440
Maryland
$49,680
$100,500
Washington
$48,220
$98,980
Hawaii
$47,960
$90,830
Colorado
$47,020
$82,080
Oregon
$46,800
$82,850
Illinois
$46,410
$81,680
New York
$45,830
$102,800
Tennessee
$45,130
$81,040
Nevada
$43,590
$94,890
Virginia
$41,210
$82,200

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Technicians or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $49,630 for Agricultural Technicians versus $79,870 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, a difference of $30K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Agricultural Technicians or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Agricultural Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 4.3% projected growth, compared to 4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Agricultural Technicians or Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Agricultural Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Agricultural Technicians get paid the most?

Iowa is the top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians at $64,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Agricultural Technicians vs. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Agricultural Technicians earn $60,320 vs. $86,100 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural techniciansGuide →How to become a aircraft mechanics and service techniciansGuide →