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The differences between auto mechanics and field mechanics 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 mechanic and a field mechanic. Additionally, a field mechanic has an average salary of $46,395, which is higher than the $41,683 average annual salary of an auto mechanic.
The top three skills for an auto mechanic include customer vehicles, customer service and diagnosis. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Auto Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An auto mechanic's role is to repair and maintain automotive vehicles, ensuring that they function efficiently and safely. They are primarily responsible for discussing issues with clients, inspecting vehicles to identify the root of problems, performing test drives, and conducting corrective measures. Sometimes this is done in collaboration with other mechanics to ensure accuracy and speed. They can also replace oil, brakes, and even other fluids. Moreover, an auto mechanic must inform the extent of repairs to clients, letting them know which parts need replacement or fixes.
The primary job of a field mechanic is to manage on-site installation, maintenance, test, and repair tasks. Field mechanics diagnose technical problems or errors and identify the appropriate solutions. They deliver heavy equipment, facility maintenance, and load and unload equipment. They work on transmissions, electrical systems, hydraulics, engines, and welding repairs. Their duties involve service truck maintenance to keep service truck inventory. Also, they maintain enough materials and supplies on a service truck for common repairs.
Auto mechanics and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |