Junior mechanic vs light wheel mechanic

The differences between junior mechanics and light wheel 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 light wheel mechanic. Additionally, a light wheel mechanic has an average salary of $41,948, 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 light wheel mechanic are mechanical problems, electrical systems, and equipment systems.

Junior mechanic vs light wheel mechanic overview

	Junior Mechanic	Light Wheel Mechanic
Yearly salary	$39,809	$41,948
Hourly rate	$19.14	$20.17
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	44,920	90,297
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Junior mechanic vs light wheel mechanic salary

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

	Junior Mechanic	Light Wheel Mechanic
Average salary	$39,809	$41,948
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $25,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	WestRock	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between junior mechanic and light wheel mechanic education

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

	Junior Mechanic	Light Wheel Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Junior mechanic vs light wheel mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between junior mechanics' and light wheel mechanics' demographics:

	Junior Mechanic	Light Wheel Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between junior mechanic and light wheel 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.

Light wheel mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage projects dot compliance and driver logs.
DOT inspections on assign vehicles.
Install and run hydrolic lines.
Complete basic training and additional AIT training.
Assist in the diagnosis and repairs of the tractor/trailer fleet.
Maintain CDL to transport vehicles from one location to another.

Junior mechanic vs light wheel mechanic skills

Common junior mechanic skills

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

Common light wheel mechanic skills

Mechanical Problems, 36%
Electrical Systems, 21%
Equipment Systems, 18%
MOS, 9%
Track Vehicles, 9%
AIT, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Junior Mechanic
Junior Mechanic vs Light Wheel Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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