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Salary comparison

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

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss out-earn Animal Caretakerss by $45K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss land at $78,680 and Animal Caretakerss at $33,470. The education gap is real: aircraft mechanics and service technician programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss is New Jersey ($97,730); for Animal Caretakerss it's Washington ($38,400).

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Animal Caretakers
Median salary
$78,680
$33,470
Hourly rate
$37.83/hr
$16.09/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,790
$24,500
Senior level (90th %)
$120,080
$46,480
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
136,390
277,300
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Personal Care
Top-paying state
New Jersey
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians median pay.

State
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Animal Caretakers
New Jersey
$97,730
$34,530
Maryland
$97,660
$35,990
New York
$93,200
$36,500
Massachusetts
$87,270
$36,910
Alaska
$85,840
$35,570
Washington
$85,010
$38,400
California
$84,910
$37,200
Hawaii
$83,200
$34,410
Connecticut
$82,610
$36,330
Oregon
$81,570
$35,310
Vermont
$80,890
$35,600
Illinois
$79,700
$34,440
Arizona
$77,130
$35,170
Maine
$64,550
$36,310
Rhode Island
$63,010
$34,930

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss or Animal Caretakerss?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss earn more nationally. The median is $78,680 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss versus $33,470 for Animal Caretakerss, a difference of $45K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

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

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss at $97,730/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss earn $97,730 vs. $34,530 for Animal Caretakerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Animal Caretakers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Animal Caretakerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft mechanics and service techniciansGuide →How to become a animal caretakersGuide →