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Auto garage mechanic vs heavy vehicle technician

The differences between auto garage mechanics and heavy vehicle technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an auto garage mechanic and a heavy vehicle technician. Additionally, an auto garage mechanic has an average salary of $42,369, which is higher than the $38,006 average annual salary of a heavy vehicle technician.

The top three skills for an auto garage mechanic include CDL, hand tools and hoists. The most important skills for a heavy vehicle technician are DOT, hand tools, and CDL.

Auto garage mechanic vs heavy vehicle technician overview

Auto Garage MechanicHeavy Vehicle Technician
Yearly salary$42,369$38,006
Hourly rate$20.37$18.27
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs38,612108,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Auto garage mechanic vs heavy vehicle technician salary

Auto garage mechanics and heavy vehicle technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Garage MechanicHeavy Vehicle Technician
Average salary$42,369$38,006
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $72,000Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CitySan Antonio, TXFoster City, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyWEC Energy GroupBruce Transportation Group
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between auto garage mechanic and heavy vehicle technician education

There are a few differences between an auto garage mechanic and a heavy vehicle technician in terms of educational background:

Auto Garage MechanicHeavy Vehicle Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Auto garage mechanic vs heavy vehicle technician demographics

Here are the differences between auto garage mechanics' and heavy vehicle technicians' demographics:

Auto Garage MechanicHeavy Vehicle Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 97.5% Female, 2.5%Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between auto garage mechanic and heavy vehicle technician duties and responsibilities

Auto garage mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Diagnose, repair and replace hydraulic controls, engine components, loader attachments, brakes and bearings using cranes and hoists.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Install, repair, and service many kinds of garage doors and door openers.

Heavy vehicle technician example responsibilities.

  • Hire specifically to test and troubleshoot main components and sub assemblies.
  • Work though rotation of all branches of auto troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair.
  • Assign with diagnosis and repair of chassis, electrical, hydraulic and water pump systems.
  • Inspect, test, troubleshoot, repair and adjust electrical, hydraulic, fire control, mechanical and firing systems.
  • Demonstrate dependability and reliability by being punctual, working assign shifts, and completing responsibilities in a timely manner.
  • repair vehicles for a/c brakes, hybrid vehicles, transmissions, electronic and computer diag
  • Show more

Auto garage mechanic vs heavy vehicle technician skills

Common auto garage mechanic skills
  • CDL, 35%
  • Hand Tools, 29%
  • Hoists, 12%
  • Diesel Engines, 6%
  • Diesel Trucks, 5%
  • Electrical Systems, 4%
Common heavy vehicle technician skills
  • DOT, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CDL, 10%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 4%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%

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