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Lift truck mechanic vs shop technician

The differences between lift truck mechanics and shop technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a lift truck mechanic and a shop technician. Additionally, a lift truck mechanic has an average salary of $40,376, which is higher than the $36,798 average annual salary of a shop technician.

The top three skills for a lift truck mechanic include electrical systems, and . The most important skills for a shop technician are preventative maintenance, routine maintenance, and diagnosis.

Lift truck mechanic vs shop technician overview

Lift Truck MechanicShop Technician
Yearly salary$40,376$36,798
Hourly rate$19.41$17.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,664150,349
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Lift truck mechanic vs shop technician salary

Lift truck mechanics and shop technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lift Truck MechanicShop Technician
Average salary$40,376$36,798
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $56,000Between $25,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between lift truck mechanic and shop technician education

There are a few differences between a lift truck mechanic and a shop technician in terms of educational background:

Lift Truck MechanicShop Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Lift truck mechanic vs shop technician demographics

Here are the differences between lift truck mechanics' and shop technicians' demographics:

Lift Truck MechanicShop Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.3% Female, 3.7%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between lift truck mechanic and shop technician duties and responsibilities

Lift truck mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.

Shop technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with a recording POS sheets to be transfer to companies expenses.
  • Maintain cleanliness of shop to promote organization which contribute to safety for other employees.
  • Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the fabrication lab by sweeping, cleaning machinery and arranging scrap materials.
  • Assist management with inventory, receiving, POS, window and screen repairs and to assemble power equipment.
  • Shop technician and foreman responsible for timely repair and diagnosis of medium to large heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment.
  • Diagnose, adjust, repair, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, and conveyors used in shop.
  • Show more

Lift truck mechanic vs shop technician skills

Common lift truck mechanic skills
  • Electrical Systems, 100%
Common shop technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Cranes, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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