Line mechanic vs set-up mechanic

The differences between line mechanics and set-up 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 a set-up mechanic. Additionally, a line mechanic has an average salary of $46,851, which is higher than the $41,840 average annual salary of a set-up mechanic.

The top three skills for a line mechanic include preventative maintenance, ladders and safety regulations. The most important skills for a set-up mechanic are FDA, GMP, and safety procedures.

Line mechanic vs set-up mechanic overview

	Line Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Yearly salary	$46,851	$41,840
Hourly rate	$22.52	$20.12
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	81,088	34,988
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Line mechanic vs set-up mechanic salary

Line mechanics and set-up mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Line Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Average salary	$46,851	$41,840
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $59,000	Between $33,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	Fall River, MA	San Fernando, CA
Highest paying state	Maine	Colorado
Best paying company	Novartis	Pactiv
Best paying industry	Utilities	Health Care

Differences between line mechanic and set-up mechanic education

There are a few differences between a line mechanic and a set-up mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Line Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Industrial Technology
Most common college	-	-

Line mechanic vs set-up mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between line mechanics' and set-up mechanics' demographics:

	Line Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between line mechanic and set-up mechanic duties and responsibilities

Line mechanic example responsibilities.

Organize a procedure for rapid plumbing repairs by proactively devising a solid inventory system for effectively managing spare parts and tools.
Practice good OSHA and company safety standards.
Complete production line assignments, maintaining strict OSHA sanitary standards.
Maintain and repair PLC automate, electronic, pneumatic and mechanical machinery.
Install and repair electrical equipment such as switches, motors, and relays.
Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.

Set-up mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Audit production lines to ensure quality is being meet as well as FDA standards are being follow.
Repair and produce product using extrusion equipment ie, Reifienhausen and PTI.
Set up and run CNC mills for medical and various other manufacture parts.
Repair, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform PMs on conveyor systems control by PLC and pneumatic control switches.
Perform training /maintenance techniques on a variety of equipment including furnaces, vacuum pumps, high-pressure washers and CNC machining equipment.

Line mechanic vs set-up mechanic skills

Common line mechanic skills

Preventative Maintenance, 14%
Ladders, 10%
Safety Regulations, 8%
Switches, 6%
Production Equipment, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%

Common set-up mechanic skills

FDA, 12%
GMP, 11%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electrical Troubleshooting, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 9%
Safety Standards, 8%

Line Mechanic vs. similar jobs

Line Mechanic related careers

Line Mechanic related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Line Mechanic
Line Mechanic vs Set-Up Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs