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Locomotive mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between locomotive mechanics and vehicle 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 vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, 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 vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Locomotive mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

Locomotive MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary$41,991$42,628
Hourly rate$20.19$20.49
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs34,17837,592
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Locomotive mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

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

Locomotive MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Average salary$41,991$42,628
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between locomotive mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

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

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

Locomotive mechanic vs vehicle mechanic demographics

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

Locomotive MechanicVehicle Mechanic
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
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, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between locomotive mechanic and vehicle 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

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
  • Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
  • Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
  • Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
  • Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
  • Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.
  • Show more

Locomotive mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common locomotive mechanic skills
  • Locomotives, 28%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • FRA, 13%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Torches, 8%
  • Traction, 8%
Common vehicle mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Diesel Engines, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Shop Safety, 5%
  • Combat, 5%

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