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The differences between heavy duty mechanics and 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 heavy duty mechanic and a mechanic. Additionally, a heavy duty mechanic has an average salary of $49,563, which is higher than the $47,149 average annual salary of a mechanic.
The top three skills for a heavy duty mechanic include CDL, hand tools and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Heavy Duty Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $49,563 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $23.83 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 51,609 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Heavy-duty mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for providing repairs and maintenance of mobile heavy-duty construction equipment. These mechanics must perform inspections on equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and other heavy construction equipment to detect faults and malfunctions to ensure proper performance. They must test the repaired equipment to ensure that the repair works meet the specifications of the manufacturers. Heavy-duty mechanics must also provide a safe working environment and take special precautions to protect themselves against work-related injuries.
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.
Heavy duty mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Duty Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $49,563 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $66,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Granite Construction | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a heavy duty mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Duty Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy duty mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:
| Heavy Duty Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 | 2% | 2% |