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The differences between forklift technicians and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forklift technician, becoming a mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $43,589 average annual salary of a forklift technician.
The top three skills for a forklift technician include troubleshoot, preventative maintenance and safety procedures. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Forklift Technician | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $43,589 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $20.96 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 179,388 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Primarily, a forklift technician services and monitors forklifts and any other heavy industrial vehicles. Forklift technicians maintain tools, communicate with the salespeople, handle inventory, and utilize computer-based diagnostics on any equipment. Typically, they work in repair shops doing repair and troubleshooting tasks. They repair, rewire, and troubleshoot the electrical, electronic, and mechanical problems of vehicles. Among their other duties and responsibilities are shop analysis, equipment modification, diagnostics, electronic system troubleshooting.
Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.
Forklift technicians and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $43,589 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $60,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forklift technician and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Forklift Technician | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklift technicians' and mechanics' demographics:
| Forklift Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 2% |