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The differences between mechanic helpers and field 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 mechanic helper and a field mechanic. Additionally, a field mechanic has an average salary of $46,395, which is higher than the $31,892 average annual salary of a mechanic helper.
The top three skills for a mechanic helper include hand tools, work ethic and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Mechanic Helper | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $31,892 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $15.33 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 48,546 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
The primary job of a field mechanic is to manage on-site installation, maintenance, test, and repair tasks. Field mechanics diagnose technical problems or errors and identify the appropriate solutions. They deliver heavy equipment, facility maintenance, and load and unload equipment. They work on transmissions, electrical systems, hydraulics, engines, and welding repairs. Their duties involve service truck maintenance to keep service truck inventory. Also, they maintain enough materials and supplies on a service truck for common repairs.
Mechanic helpers and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic Helper | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $31,892 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $41,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Sierra Pacific Industries | - |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a mechanic helper and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic Helper | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanic helpers' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic Helper | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |