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The differences between auto mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an auto mechanic, becoming a heavy equipment mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a heavy equipment mechanic has an average salary of $49,018, 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 heavy equipment mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and loaders.
| Auto Mechanic | Heavy Equipment Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $49,018 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $23.57 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 98,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
A heavy equipment mechanic is responsible for operating the heavy machinery used in the production of various industries, inspecting inconsistencies, running diagnostic tests, and replacing defective components to ensure its operational safety and efficiency. Heavy equipment mechanics also upgrade engine systems to boost optimal performance, analyze damage costs, and repair equipment parts with the assistance of other mechanical staff. They work closely with the management, create maintenance reports, and suggesting resolutions to avoid delays in production and customer service.
Auto mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Heavy Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $49,018 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $36,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | Government | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a heavy equipment mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Heavy Equipment Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and heavy equipment mechanics' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Heavy Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% |
| 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, 5.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 1% |