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Locomotive mechanic vs mechanic

The differences between locomotive mechanics and 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 locomotive mechanic and a mechanic. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $41,991 average annual salary of a locomotive mechanic.

The top three skills for a locomotive mechanic include locomotives, hand tools and FRA. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Locomotive mechanic vs mechanic overview

Locomotive MechanicMechanic
Yearly salary$41,991$47,149
Hourly rate$20.19$22.67
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs34,178100,534
Job satisfaction-4.25
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Locomotive mechanic vs mechanic salary

Locomotive mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Locomotive MechanicMechanic
Average salary$41,991$47,149
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between locomotive mechanic and mechanic education

There are a few differences between a locomotive mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

Locomotive MechanicMechanic
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Locomotive mechanic vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between locomotive mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:

Locomotive MechanicMechanic
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between locomotive mechanic and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Locomotive mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Provide routine maintenance, troubleshooting and repair to EMD and G.E.
  • Repair running gears: wheels, springs, hangers, and brake rigging traction motors.
  • weld with arc and mig welding.
  • Preform overhauls on EMD 12V645E diesel electric engines.
  • Work closely with contractors, FRA, OSHA and safety officers
  • Operate cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts
  • Show more

Mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
  • Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
  • chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
  • Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
  • Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
  • Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.
  • Show more

Locomotive mechanic vs mechanic skills

Common locomotive mechanic skills
  • Locomotives, 28%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • FRA, 13%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Torches, 8%
  • Traction, 8%
Common mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Customer Vehicles, 7%
  • Diagnosis, 6%
  • Electrical Systems, 5%

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