Junior mechanic vs diesel mechanic

The differences between junior mechanics and diesel 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 junior mechanic and a diesel mechanic. Additionally, a diesel mechanic has an average salary of $49,842, which is higher than the $39,809 average annual salary of a junior mechanic.

The top three skills for a junior mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and OSHA. The most important skills for a diesel mechanic are CDL, preventative maintenance, and DOT.

Junior mechanic vs diesel mechanic overview

	Junior Mechanic	Diesel Mechanic
Yearly salary	$39,809	$49,842
Hourly rate	$19.14	$23.96
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	44,920	85,684
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Junior mechanic vs diesel mechanic salary

Junior mechanics and diesel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Junior Mechanic	Diesel Mechanic
Average salary	$39,809	$49,842
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	WestRock	Hensel Phelps
Best paying industry	Construction	Energy

Differences between junior mechanic and diesel mechanic education

There are a few differences between a junior mechanic and a diesel mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Junior Mechanic	Diesel Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Junior mechanic vs diesel mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between junior mechanics' and diesel mechanics' demographics:

	Junior Mechanic	Diesel Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between junior mechanic and diesel mechanic duties and responsibilities

Junior mechanic example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
Assist technicians in the installation and repair HVAC system units, including electronic and mechanical components.
Measure, cut, thread and bond pipes and tubing to feeding water, gas or refrigerant to various HVAC equipment.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Diesel mechanic example responsibilities.

Install and rebuild hydraulic systems on trucks to include cylinders, PTO pumps, and hoses.
Repair diesel engines; replace clutches, water pumps, turbo, alternators, brakes and HVAC.
Maintain and troubleshoot various kinds of heavy equipment like forklifts, graders, loaders and, buses.
Perform diagnosis and repairs to electrical systems as failures/problems occur.
Utilize CDL to test drive vehicles.
Maintain driveline and brake components of fleet trucks.

Junior mechanic vs diesel mechanic skills

Common junior mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 20%
Electrical Systems, 11%
OSHA, 10%
Ladders, 7%
Light Fixtures, 6%
Preventive Maintenance, 5%

Common diesel mechanic skills

CDL, 19%
Preventative Maintenance, 12%
DOT, 11%
Hand Tools, 9%
OSHA, 5%
Diagnosis, 4%

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Junior Mechanic vs Diesel Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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