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The differences between line mechanics and industrial 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 line mechanic and an industrial mechanic. Additionally, an industrial mechanic has an average salary of $53,333, which is higher than the $46,851 average annual salary of a line mechanic.
The top three skills for a line mechanic include preventative maintenance, ladders and safety regulations. The most important skills for an industrial mechanic are industrial maintenance, hand tools, and PLC.
| Line Mechanic | Industrial Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $46,851 | $53,333 |
| Hourly rate | $22.52 | $25.64 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 81,088 | 158,560 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A line mechanic specializes in installing and maintaining a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment. Their responsibilities typically include conducting inspections, troubleshooting problems, replacing parts, and performing necessary repairs. There are instances where they must install and repair cables, climb poles, and fix control lines. They may also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of equipment. Furthermore, a line mechanic must maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating for a safe and efficient workflow.
An industrial mechanic maintains and repairs equipment and any other industrial types of machinery in a factory. Industrial mechanics manage the operation of machinery like production machinery, packaging equipment, and conveying systems. They need to use protective equipment like safety glasses and hardhats as well as follow safety precautions during operations. It is their responsibility to make sure that all industrial machines function well through preventive maintenance service and troubleshooting.
Line mechanics and industrial mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Mechanic | Industrial Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $46,851 | $53,333 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $59,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fall River, MA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | West Virginia |
| Best paying company | Novartis | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a line mechanic and an industrial mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Line Mechanic | Industrial Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Industrial Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line mechanics' and industrial mechanics' demographics:
| Line Mechanic | Industrial Mechanic | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |