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The differences between diesel 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 a diesel mechanic and a truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, which is higher than the $49,842 average annual salary of a diesel mechanic.
The top three skills for a diesel mechanic include CDL, preventative maintenance and DOT. The most important skills for a truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Diesel Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $49,842 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $23.96 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 85,684 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Diesel mechanics and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $49,842 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $67,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Hensel Phelps | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a diesel mechanic and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between diesel mechanics' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Diesel Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |