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.
Heavy truck mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real heavy truck mechanic resumes:
- 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.
- Conduct vibration analysis on gearboxes.
Heavy truck mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Heavy Truck Mechanics are proficient in CDL, Diagnosis, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Heavy Truck Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 23%
Have a current class B cdl with HazMat, Tanker, Passenger, School Bus endorsements.
- Diagnosis, 18%
Worked in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also included maintenance schedules.
- OSHA, 12%
Utilized OSHA safety procedures and hazardous material regulations on a daily basis.
- Service Calls, 7%
Receive and correct issues during road service calls.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Oil changes, wiring, troubleshoot hydraulic problems, replace fuel injection pumps, change tires and repair brake systems.
- DOT, 4%
Perform BIT and DOT inspections on highway trucks, maintained fleet of boom and pole setting equipment.
"cdl," "diagnosis," and "osha" are among the most common skills that heavy truck mechanics use at work. You can find even more heavy truck mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a heavy truck mechanic to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what heavy truck mechanics do because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a heavy truck mechanic resume shows how heavy truck mechanics use customer-service skills: "conduct daily routine maintenance on customer vehicles including oil changes, tune-ups, tire maintenance including wheel and rim mounting. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling heavy truck mechanic duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes." According to a heavy truck mechanic resume, here's how heavy truck mechanics can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "pull trucks in and out of shop perform warranty work on cummins and freightliner wash and detail trucks"
Dexterity. heavy truck mechanics are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to heavy truck mechanic responsibilities, because "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." A heavy truck mechanic resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "operated forklifts, mechanical and hydraulic cranes to assist production. "
Mechanical skills. heavy truck mechanic responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example shows what heavy truck mechanics do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "diagnosed and troubleshot mechanical and electrical problems. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a heavy truck mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what heavy truck mechanics relies on this skill, since "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." How this skill relates to heavy truck mechanic duties can be seen in an example from a heavy truck mechanic resume snippet: "performed organizational maintenance services on wheeled vehicles, trailers, generators, and pumping units. "
Physical strength. Lastly, "physical strength" is an important element of what a heavy truck mechanic does. Heavy truck mechanic responsibilities require this skill because "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." This resume example highlights how heavy truck mechanic duties rely on this skill: "provided physical and technical assistance for hvac technicians. "
The three companies that hire the most heavy truck mechanics are:
- Wyoming9 heavy truck mechanics jobs
- Jr. Davis Construction7 heavy truck mechanics jobs
- Strata5 heavy truck mechanics jobs
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Compare different heavy truck mechanics
Heavy truck mechanic vs. Mechanic's assistant
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a heavy truck mechanic are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "diagnosis," "dot," and "perform preventative maintenance." On the other hand, a job as a mechanic's assistant requires skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety equipment," "maintenance services," and "mechanical equipment." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Mechanic's assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $53,930. On the other hand, heavy truck mechanics are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $53,698.The education levels that mechanic's assistants earn slightly differ from heavy truck mechanics. In particular, mechanic's assistants are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a heavy truck mechanic. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Heavy truck mechanic vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real heavy truck mechanic resumes. While heavy truck mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "cdl," "diagnosis," "osha," and "troubleshoot," mechanic helpers use skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "preventive maintenance," and "safety equipment."
Mechanic helpers earn a lower average salary than heavy truck mechanics. But mechanic helpers earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $36,229. Additionally, heavy truck mechanics earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $53,698 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mechanic helpers tend to reach similar levels of education than heavy truck mechanics. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Heavy truck mechanic vs. Shop technician
Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in. Usually, Shop Technicians work with machines in the shop. They conduct repair and maintenance work for machines that have long been in the shop. They are also in charge of installing and building new machines as well. Shop Technicians are assigned to manage records of such machines or s other mechanical items in the store. This is part of the administrative activities they may do for the shop.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from heavy truck mechanic resumes include skills like "cdl," "osha," "troubleshoot," and "perform preventative maintenance," whereas a shop technician is more likely to list skills in "preventative maintenance," "cranes," "customer service," and "safety inspections. "
Shop technicians make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $45,857. On the other hand, heavy truck mechanics are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $53,698.Most shop technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to heavy truck mechanics. For example, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Heavy truck mechanic vs. Mechanic driver
Even though a few skill sets overlap between heavy truck mechanics and mechanic drivers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a heavy truck mechanic might have more use for skills like "diagnosis," "osha," "hvac," and "perform preventative maintenance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of mechanic drivers require skills like "tractor trailer," "dump truck," "preventative maintenance," and "safety equipment. "
The average resume of mechanic drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to heavy truck mechanics. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of heavy truck mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
