Heavy vehicle technician vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between heavy vehicle technicians and vehicle 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 vehicle technician and a vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, which is higher than the $38,006 average annual salary of a heavy vehicle technician.

The top three skills for a heavy vehicle technician include DOT, hand tools and CDL. The most important skills for a vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Heavy vehicle technician vs vehicle mechanic overview

	Heavy Vehicle Technician	Vehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary	$38,006	$42,628
Hourly rate	$18.27	$20.49
Growth rate	1%	4%
Number of jobs	108,284	37,592
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	2	2

Heavy vehicle technician vs vehicle mechanic salary

Heavy vehicle technicians and vehicle mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Vehicle Technician	Vehicle Mechanic
Average salary	$38,006	$42,628
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $51,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Foster City, CA	Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Bruce Transportation Group	Google
Best paying industry	Professional	Manufacturing

Differences between heavy vehicle technician and vehicle mechanic education

There are a few differences between a heavy vehicle technician and a vehicle mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Heavy Vehicle Technician	Vehicle Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Heavy vehicle technician vs vehicle mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between heavy vehicle technicians' and vehicle mechanics' demographics:

	Heavy Vehicle Technician	Vehicle Mechanic
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy vehicle technician and vehicle mechanic duties and responsibilities

Heavy vehicle technician example responsibilities.

Hire specifically to test and troubleshoot main components and sub assemblies.
Work though rotation of all branches of auto troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair.
Assign with diagnosis and repair of chassis, electrical, hydraulic and water pump systems.
Inspect, test, troubleshoot, repair and adjust electrical, hydraulic, fire control, mechanical and firing systems.
Demonstrate dependability and reliability by being punctual, working assign shifts, and completing responsibilities in a timely manner.
repair vehicles for a/c brakes, hybrid vehicles, transmissions, electronic and computer diag

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.

Heavy vehicle technician vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common heavy vehicle technician skills

DOT, 12%
Hand Tools, 11%
CDL, 10%
Diagnosis, 5%
Electrical Troubleshooting, 4%
Preventive Maintenance, 4%

Common vehicle mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Electrical Systems, 7%
Diesel Engines, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Shop Safety, 5%
Combat, 5%

Heavy Vehicle Technician vs. similar jobs

Heavy Vehicle Technician related careers

Heavy Vehicle Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Heavy Vehicle Technician
Heavy Vehicle Technician vs Vehicle Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs