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Diesel engine mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between diesel engine mechanics and vehicle mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a diesel engine mechanic and a vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a diesel engine mechanic has an average salary of $49,463, which is higher than the $42,628 average annual salary of a vehicle mechanic.

The top three skills for a diesel engine mechanic include troubleshoot, hand tools and cranes. The most important skills for a vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Diesel engine mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

Diesel Engine MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary$49,463$42,628
Hourly rate$23.78$20.49
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs87,15237,592
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Diesel engine mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

Diesel engine mechanics and vehicle mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Diesel Engine MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Average salary$49,463$42,628
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $66,000Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between diesel engine mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

There are a few differences between a diesel engine mechanic and a vehicle mechanic in terms of educational background:

Diesel Engine MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Diesel engine mechanic vs vehicle mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between diesel engine mechanics' and vehicle mechanics' demographics:

Diesel Engine MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 93.5% Female, 6.5%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between diesel engine mechanic and vehicle mechanic duties and responsibilities

Diesel engine mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Perform complete overhauls on transmissions, steering units, repair or remove and replace in diesel trucks and marine environments.

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
  • Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
  • Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
  • Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
  • Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
  • Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.
  • Show more

Diesel engine mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common diesel engine mechanic skills
  • Troubleshoot, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Cranes, 9%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Safety Devices, 5%
Common vehicle mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Diesel Engines, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Shop Safety, 5%
  • Combat, 5%

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