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Field mechanic vs senior mechanic

The differences between field mechanics and senior mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a field mechanic, becoming a senior mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior mechanic has an average salary of $51,569, which is higher than the $46,395 average annual salary of a field mechanic.

The top three skills for a field mechanic include CDL, construction equipment and cranes. The most important skills for a senior mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.

Field mechanic vs senior mechanic overview

Field MechanicSenior Mechanic
Yearly salary$46,395$51,569
Hourly rate$22.31$24.79
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs135,48285,706
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4249
Years of experience24

What does a field mechanic do?

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.

What does a senior mechanic do?

A senior mechanic builds machines or mechanical components based on client specifications and requirements. As a senior mechanic, you will perform a variety of duties that include performing technical inspections on corrective maintenance, vehicle armor and services, monitoring and supporting day-to-day facility and production operations, and troubleshooting problems. Additionally, you will perform preventative maintenance on equipment, generators, and vehicles, and conducting research on parts repair. You will also perform various custodial and maintenance duties as requested.

Field mechanic vs senior mechanic salary

Field mechanics and senior mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field MechanicSenior Mechanic
Average salary$46,395$51,569
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $63,000Between $37,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Roseville, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Orange County Sanitation District
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between field mechanic and senior mechanic education

There are a few differences between a field mechanic and a senior mechanic in terms of educational background:

Field MechanicSenior Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college-SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Field mechanic vs senior mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between field mechanics' and senior mechanics' demographics:

Field MechanicSenior Mechanic
Average age4249
Gender ratioMale, 97.3% Female, 2.7%Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%4%

Differences between field mechanic and senior mechanic duties and responsibilities

Field mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Have visited various locations and have accomplished field preventive maintenance on compressors.
  • Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and handtools.
  • Supervise mechanics in the diagnosis and repair of technical difficulties, installation and in mechanical failures of military equipment.
  • Construct and assemble sub- assemblies and assemble components including shafts, pulley, bearings, gearboxes and conveyor components.
  • Repair and maintain the tar kettles and up keep of all compressors, and push behind blowers.
  • Perform all levels of repair and maintenance for school buses, vans, pickups, trailers, mowers and snow blowers.
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Senior mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage preventive and predictive routes using Maximo CMMS database.
  • Perform technical inspections on vehicle armor, corrective maintenance, and services (PMCS )
  • Test coolant conditions, inspects wires and repair if damage, replace wire harness, troubleshoot faulty electrical components.
  • Support GMP manufacturing and team with QA.
  • Replace electrical switches, lights and outlets.
  • Use table top grinders and tools for assembly.
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Field mechanic vs senior mechanic skills

Common field mechanic skills
  • CDL, 13%
  • Construction Equipment, 10%
  • Cranes, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Asphalt, 4%
Common senior mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 7%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Diesel Engines, 5%
  • Shop Safety, 4%

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