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The differences between auto mechanics and trailer 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 trailer mechanic. Additionally, a trailer mechanic has an average salary of $42,569, 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 trailer mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and work ethic.
| Auto Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $42,569 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 86,057 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
A trailer mechanic specializes in providing repair services on large vehicles such as trailers, semi-trucks, and tractors. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, inspecting machinery and electrical systems, diagnosing issues, conducting fixes and replacements, and explaining the extent of damage or repairs to clients. There are also instances where they must devise testing strategies, ensuring compliance with the government's policies. Furthermore, a trailer mechanic must maintain regular maintenance checks on vehicles to ensure the safety of operators and the efficiency of workflow.
Auto mechanics and trailer mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $42,569 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $32,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | Dayton Freight |
| Best paying industry | Government | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a trailer mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and trailer mechanics' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 98.0% Female, 2.0% |
| 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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |