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The differences between light wheel mechanics and field 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 light wheel mechanic and a field mechanic. Additionally, a field mechanic has an average salary of $46,395, which is higher than the $41,948 average annual salary of a light wheel mechanic.
The top three skills for a light wheel mechanic include mechanical problems, electrical systems and equipment systems. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Light Wheel Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,948 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $20.17 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 90,297 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A light wheel mechanic is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance and efficiency of light-wheeled vehicles used for industrial operations, especially in a military setting. Light wheel mechanics inspect the condition of the vehicle's engine, perform preventive maintenance, replace defective components, assemble upgrade systems based on schematics and blueprints, and create resolution reports for reference. They must have excellent knowledge of the auto-mechanic industry to determine faults and identify repairs, avoiding delays, complications, and hazards during operations.
The primary job of a field mechanic is to manage on-site installation, maintenance, test, and repair tasks. Field mechanics diagnose technical problems or errors and identify the appropriate solutions. They deliver heavy equipment, facility maintenance, and load and unload equipment. They work on transmissions, electrical systems, hydraulics, engines, and welding repairs. Their duties involve service truck maintenance to keep service truck inventory. Also, they maintain enough materials and supplies on a service truck for common repairs.
Light wheel mechanics and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Light Wheel Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,948 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $67,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a light wheel mechanic and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Light Wheel Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between light wheel mechanics' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Light Wheel Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |