Link trainer mechanic vs heavy equipment mechanic

The differences between link trainer mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a link trainer mechanic and a heavy equipment mechanic. Additionally, a heavy equipment mechanic has an average salary of $49,018, which is higher than the $45,257 average annual salary of a link trainer mechanic.

The top three skills for a link trainer mechanic include hand tools, grinders and torches. The most important skills for a heavy equipment mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and loaders.

Link trainer mechanic vs heavy equipment mechanic overview

	Link Trainer Mechanic	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Yearly salary	$45,257	$49,018
Hourly rate	$21.76	$23.57
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	54,605	98,464
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Link trainer mechanic vs heavy equipment mechanic salary

Link trainer mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Link Trainer Mechanic	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Average salary	$45,257	$49,018
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $75,000	Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	-	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	BNSF Railway
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between link trainer mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic education

There are a few differences between a link trainer mechanic and a heavy equipment mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Link Trainer Mechanic	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Link trainer mechanic vs heavy equipment mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between link trainer mechanics' and heavy equipment mechanics' demographics:

	Link Trainer Mechanic	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	1%	1%

Differences between link trainer mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic duties and responsibilities

Link trainer mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures and invoices
Perform trailer repairs using but not limit to welders, cutting torches, and air tools.
Train staff to install and troubleshoot
Inspect locomotives and railcars for defects.
Standardize inspection in accordance with the guidelines of RFP, VRE and FRA.
Maintain, inspect, repair, install, troubleshoot, lubricate, and adjust wastewater machinery and equipment.

Heavy equipment mechanic example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
Operate grinders, vises, jacks, cranes, drill presses, pallet lifts, wheel lifts, and solvent tank.
Perform corrosion control and painting procedures on equipment using grinders, sanders, respirators and paint guns.
Fix and maintain all types of heavy equipment such as backhoe, excavator, bull dozer and grader.
Analyze and diagnose problems, troubleshoot electrical systems and their mechanical components.
Perform queries into competitor technology to maintain ability to perform accurate diagnosis on equipment not produce by caterpillar.

Link trainer mechanic vs heavy equipment mechanic skills

Common link trainer mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 53%
Grinders, 11%
Torches, 10%
Oil Changes, 4%
Safety Training, 4%
Mechanical Systems, 3%

Common heavy equipment mechanic skills

CDL, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Loaders, 6%
Cranes, 6%
Electrical Systems, 4%
End Loaders, 4%

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Link Trainer Mechanic
Link Trainer Mechanic vs Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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