Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between heavy equipment mechanics and heavy duty 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 heavy equipment mechanic, becoming a heavy duty mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a heavy duty mechanic has an average salary of $49,563, which is higher than the $49,018 average annual salary of a heavy equipment mechanic.
The top three skills for a heavy equipment mechanic include CDL, hand tools and loaders. The most important skills for a heavy duty mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and preventive maintenance.
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | Heavy Duty Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $49,018 | $49,563 |
| Hourly rate | $23.57 | $23.83 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 98,464 | 51,609 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A heavy equipment mechanic is responsible for operating the heavy machinery used in the production of various industries, inspecting inconsistencies, running diagnostic tests, and replacing defective components to ensure its operational safety and efficiency. Heavy equipment mechanics also upgrade engine systems to boost optimal performance, analyze damage costs, and repair equipment parts with the assistance of other mechanical staff. They work closely with the management, create maintenance reports, and suggesting resolutions to avoid delays in production and customer service.
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.
Heavy equipment mechanics and heavy duty mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | Heavy Duty Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $49,018 | $49,563 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Washington |
| Best paying company | BNSF Railway | Granite Construction |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Construction |
There are a few differences between a heavy equipment mechanic and a heavy duty mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | Heavy Duty Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy equipment mechanics' and heavy duty mechanics' demographics:
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | Heavy Duty Mechanic | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 2% |