Junior mechanic vs mechanic's assistant

The differences between junior 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 junior mechanic and a mechanic's assistant. Additionally, a mechanic's assistant has an average salary of $41,533, 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 mechanic's assistant are preventative maintenance, hand tools, and OSHA.

Junior mechanic vs mechanic's assistant overview

	Junior Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Yearly salary	$39,809	$41,533
Hourly rate	$19.14	$19.97
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	44,920	40,249
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 mechanic's assistant salary

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

	Junior Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Average salary	$39,809	$41,533
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $27,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	WestRock	ASRC Federal
Best paying industry	Construction	Energy

Differences between junior mechanic and mechanic's assistant education

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

	Junior Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
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 mechanic's assistant demographics

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

	Junior Mechanic	Mechanic's Assistant
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%	Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
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, 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 junior mechanic and mechanic's assistant 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.

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.

Junior mechanic vs mechanic's assistant skills

Common junior mechanic skills

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

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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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Junior Mechanic
Junior Mechanic vs Mechanic's Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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