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The differences between auto mechanics and truck 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 truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, 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 truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Auto Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| 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.
Also known as diesel services technicians, truck mechanics perform various heavy-duty truck tasks. The technicians work on large vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses. It is their duty to inspect, make diagnoses, and repair the brake systems and other electrical components. They conduct routine maintenance work, which aims for longevity and functionality. It is also important for them to have skills in communication, organization, computer system, and administrative tasks.
Auto mechanics and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Truck 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |