Heavy truck mechanic vs mechanic's assistant

The differences between heavy truck mechanics and mechanic's assistants 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 truck mechanic and a mechanic's assistant. Additionally, a heavy truck mechanic has an average salary of $49,777, which is higher than the $41,533 average annual salary of a mechanic's assistant.

The top three skills for a heavy truck mechanic include CDL, diagnosis and OSHA. The most important skills for a mechanic's assistant are preventative maintenance, hand tools, and OSHA.

Heavy truck mechanic vs mechanic's assistant overview

	Heavy Truck Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Yearly salary	$49,777	$41,533
Hourly rate	$23.93	$19.97
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	83,972	40,249
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a heavy truck mechanic do?

Heavy truck mechanics repair and maintain trucks. They are responsible for the inspection, diagnosis, and repair of brake systems. They may work on include engines, transmissions, electrical components, or steering systems. Typically, they work for freight companies, truck manufacturers, local government agencies, or repair shops. To be a heavy truck mechanic, they must be physically strong and have the ability to be able to work in noisy environments.

What does a mechanic's assistant do?

A mechanics assistant job involves assisting mechanics in operating, repairing, and refurbishing vehicles. Primarily, mechanics assistants work on the installation, repair, and replacement of an automobile's mechanical parts. They need to be knowledgeable of the processes and composition of automobiles. Also, they execute the opening and closing tasks in stores. The skillset for this position includes a strong work ethic, diagnostic skills, problem-solving, prior experience, customer service skills, and resourcefulness.

Heavy truck mechanic vs mechanic's assistant salary

Heavy truck mechanics and mechanic's assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Truck Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Average salary	$49,777	$41,533
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $66,000	Between $27,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Anaheim, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Hunter Contracting	ASRC Federal
Best paying industry	Automotive	Energy

Differences between heavy truck mechanic and mechanic's assistant education

There are a few differences between a heavy truck mechanic and a mechanic's assistant in terms of educational background:

	Heavy Truck Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Heavy truck mechanic vs mechanic's assistant demographics

Here are the differences between heavy truck mechanics' and mechanic's assistants' demographics:

	Heavy Truck Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%	Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 2.5% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy truck mechanic and mechanic's assistant duties and responsibilities

Heavy truck mechanic example responsibilities.

Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
Comply with all dot regulations.Skills usedrepair vehicles right before being put on street.
Have committed myself to working safely base on OSHA standard to avoid personal injuries.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulicjacks or hoists.
Light warranty work include wheel seals and break replacement, HVAC, window replacement and body components.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Mechanic's assistant example responsibilities.

Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures and invoices
Remove defective parts by dismantling devices; using hoists, cranes, and hand and power tools.
Light duty power equipment, chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, etc.
Work extensively with HVAC in automotive capacity.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Pick up and deliver a/c units, parts and materials to jobsite.

Heavy truck mechanic vs mechanic's assistant skills

Common heavy truck mechanic skills

CDL, 23%
Diagnosis, 18%
OSHA, 12%
Service Calls, 7%
Troubleshoot, 4%
DOT, 4%

Common mechanic's assistant skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
Hand Tools, 10%
OSHA, 8%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Oil Changes, 6%
Routine Maintenance, 5%

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Heavy Truck Mechanic
Heavy Truck Mechanic vs Mechanic's Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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