Lift truck mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between lift truck 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 lift truck mechanic and a vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, which is higher than the $40,376 average annual salary of a lift truck mechanic.

The top three skills for a lift truck mechanic include electrical systems, and . The most important skills for a vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Lift truck mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

	Lift Truck Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary	$40,376	$42,628
Hourly rate	$19.41	$20.49
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	69,664	37,592
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Lift truck mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

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

	Lift Truck Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average salary	$40,376	$42,628
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $56,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between lift truck mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

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

	Lift Truck Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Lift truck mechanic vs vehicle mechanic demographics

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

	Lift Truck Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black 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, 8.2% 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 lift truck mechanic and vehicle mechanic 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.

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.

Lift truck mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common lift truck mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 100%

Common vehicle mechanic skills

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

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Lift Truck Mechanic
Lift Truck Mechanic vs Vehicle Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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