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Mechanic driver vs shop technician

The differences between mechanic drivers and shop technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a mechanic driver and a shop technician. Additionally, a mechanic driver has an average salary of $47,243, which is higher than the $36,798 average annual salary of a shop technician.

The top three skills for a mechanic driver include tractor trailer, CDL and dump truck. The most important skills for a shop technician are preventative maintenance, routine maintenance, and diagnosis.

Mechanic driver vs shop technician overview

Mechanic DriverShop Technician
Yearly salary$47,243$36,798
Hourly rate$22.71$17.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs116,538150,349
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Mechanic driver vs shop technician salary

Mechanic drivers and shop technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mechanic DriverShop Technician
Average salary$47,243$36,798
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $64,000Between $25,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between mechanic driver and shop technician education

There are a few differences between a mechanic driver and a shop technician in terms of educational background:

Mechanic DriverShop Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Mechanic driver vs shop technician demographics

Here are the differences between mechanic drivers' and shop technicians' demographics:

Mechanic DriverShop Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between mechanic driver and shop technician duties and responsibilities

Mechanic driver example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
  • DOT inspections, replacing brakes, tires, king pins shackle pins.
  • Repair and replace damage or worn parts and troubleshoot problems.
  • Metal fabrication and MIG welding to restore serviceability of equipment.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Shop technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with a recording POS sheets to be transfer to companies expenses.
  • Maintain cleanliness of shop to promote organization which contribute to safety for other employees.
  • Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the fabrication lab by sweeping, cleaning machinery and arranging scrap materials.
  • Assist management with inventory, receiving, POS, window and screen repairs and to assemble power equipment.
  • Shop technician and foreman responsible for timely repair and diagnosis of medium to large heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment.
  • Diagnose, adjust, repair, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, and conveyors used in shop.
  • Show more

Mechanic driver vs shop technician skills

Common mechanic driver skills
  • Tractor Trailer, 18%
  • CDL, 8%
  • Dump Truck, 8%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 8%
  • DOT, 7%
  • Safety Equipment, 7%
Common shop technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Cranes, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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