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The differences between diesel engineers and diesel mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a diesel engineer, becoming a diesel mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a diesel engineer has an average salary of $100,487, which is higher than the $49,842 average annual salary of a diesel mechanic.
The top three skills for a diesel engineer include MATLAB, data acquisition and inca. The most important skills for a diesel mechanic are CDL, preventative maintenance, and DOT.
| Diesel Engineer | Diesel Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $100,487 | $49,842 |
| Hourly rate | $48.31 | $23.96 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 104,322 | 85,684 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A diesel Engineer inspects, maintains, and repairs diesel engines. They diagnose engines and examine the engine parts and system machinery to identify the vehicle's right service. These professionals use several tools like pliers, lathes, drills, screwdrivers, wrenches, and grinders to complete their tasks. They measure engine power by using different pieces of testing equipment like dynamometers. Moreover, these professionals rebuild engines or repair starting systems, cylinder heads, fuel-injection systems, large-sized natural gas engines, and turbochargers.
A diesel mechanic is a skilled technician responsible for the checking, maintenance, and repair of diesel engines. Diesel mechanics duties also include regular inspections of vehicles upon customer's request to ensure the smooth performance of the machine, communicate on any system issue that might cause malfunctions, and provide any replacement to renovate a damaged part of the engine. A diesel mechanic must be highly-knowledgeable on everything related to diesel engines to provide the best, long-term solutions for the customers.
Diesel engineers and diesel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Engineer | Diesel Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $100,487 | $49,842 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $146,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | FCA US LLC | Hensel Phelps |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a diesel engineer and a diesel mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Engineer | Diesel Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | - |
Here are the differences between diesel engineers' and diesel mechanics' demographics:
| Diesel Engineer | Diesel Mechanic | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 11.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |