Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between diesel technicians and field 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 technician and a field mechanic. Additionally, a diesel technician has an average salary of $46,868, which is higher than the $46,395 average annual salary of a field mechanic.
The top three skills for a diesel technician include CDL, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Diesel Technician | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $46,868 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $22.53 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 128,944 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.
The primary job of a field mechanic is to manage on-site installation, maintenance, test, and repair tasks. Field mechanics diagnose technical problems or errors and identify the appropriate solutions. They deliver heavy equipment, facility maintenance, and load and unload equipment. They work on transmissions, electrical systems, hydraulics, engines, and welding repairs. Their duties involve service truck maintenance to keep service truck inventory. Also, they maintain enough materials and supplies on a service truck for common repairs.
Diesel technicians and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Technician | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $46,868 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $65,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Cummins | - |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between a diesel technician and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Technician | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between diesel technicians' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Diesel Technician | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |