Locomotive mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic

The differences between locomotive mechanics and wheel alignment 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 wheel alignment mechanic. Additionally, a locomotive mechanic has an average salary of $41,991, which is higher than the $41,985 average annual salary of a wheel alignment mechanic.

The top three skills for a locomotive mechanic include locomotives, hand tools and FRA. The most important skills for a wheel alignment mechanic are electrical systems, troubleshoot, and preventive maintenance checks.

Locomotive mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic overview

	Locomotive Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Yearly salary	$41,991	$41,985
Hourly rate	$20.19	$20.19
Growth rate	4%	1%
Number of jobs	34,178	34,558
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	2

Locomotive mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic salary

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

	Locomotive Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average salary	$41,991	$41,985
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $55,000	Between $26,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between locomotive mechanic and wheel alignment mechanic education

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

	Locomotive Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Locomotive mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic demographics

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

	Locomotive Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between locomotive mechanic and wheel alignment 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

Wheel alignment mechanic example responsibilities.

Service and repair for Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen automobiles.
Raise trucks, vehicles, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
Perform maintenance on M113, M88, M1A1, and M578 track vehicles.
Diagnose and repair M113 family of vehicles.
Diagnose electrical, air, hydraulics, and fuel problems on a variety of vehicles such as AVLB and M88 tanks.

Locomotive mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic skills

Common locomotive mechanic skills

Locomotives, 28%
Hand Tools, 14%
FRA, 13%
DOT, 13%
Torches, 8%
Traction, 8%

Common wheel alignment mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Preventive Maintenance Checks, 5%
Hydraulic Systems, 5%
Equipment Systems, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Locomotive Mechanic
Locomotive Mechanic vs Wheel Alignment Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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