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The differences between equipment mechanics and light wheel mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an equipment mechanic, becoming a light wheel mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an equipment mechanic has an average salary of $45,435, which is higher than the $41,948 average annual salary of a light wheel mechanic.
The top three skills for an equipment mechanic include hand tools, preventive maintenance and CDL. The most important skills for a light wheel mechanic are mechanical problems, electrical systems, and equipment systems.
| Equipment Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $45,435 | $41,948 |
| Hourly rate | $21.84 | $20.17 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 50,409 | 90,297 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An equipment mechanic specializes in inspecting and repairing mechanical systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. They typically respond to issues and concerns, identify client needs, conduct inspections, and perform corrective measures and repairs as needed. An equipment mechanic may also liaise with clients, explaining to them the extent of repairs and provide cost-estimates. Furthermore, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure its efficiency and safety of operators, all while building positive relationships with customers to strengthen the client base.
A light wheel mechanic is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance and efficiency of light-wheeled vehicles used for industrial operations, especially in a military setting. Light wheel mechanics inspect the condition of the vehicle's engine, perform preventive maintenance, replace defective components, assemble upgrade systems based on schematics and blueprints, and create resolution reports for reference. They must have excellent knowledge of the auto-mechanic industry to determine faults and identify repairs, avoiding delays, complications, and hazards during operations.
Equipment mechanics and light wheel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $45,435 | $41,948 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $62,000 | Between $25,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Hologic | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between an equipment mechanic and a light wheel mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment mechanics' and light wheel mechanics' demographics:
| Equipment Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 2% |