Don't forget though while a FAA certified mechanic doesn't technically have a college degree that he is required to take over 2000hrs of classes, and pass 9 federal tests. As said by a man currently sitting with an FAA maintenance cert. sitting in my wallet.
And lest we forget the man with 2000hrs or training working on multi-million dollar aircraft is unskilled labor; whereas a man changing oil at some little auto shop with a 100hr SAE mechanic certificate is considered skilled labor.
Sorry for the long winded rant but at times I just can't help myself.