Junior mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between junior mechanics 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 junior mechanic and a vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, 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 vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Junior mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

	Junior Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary	$39,809	$42,628
Hourly rate	$19.14	$20.49
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	44,920	37,592
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Junior mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

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

	Junior Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average salary	$39,809	$42,628
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	WestRock	Google
Best paying industry	Construction	Manufacturing

Differences between junior mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

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

	Junior Mechanic	Vehicle 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 vehicle mechanic demographics

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

	Junior Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
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, 8.2% 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 junior mechanic and vehicle 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.

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.

Junior mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common junior mechanic skills

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

Common vehicle mechanic skills

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

Junior Mechanic vs. similar jobs

Junior Mechanic related careers

Junior Mechanic related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Junior Mechanic
Junior Mechanic vs Vehicle Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs