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The differences between mechanic helpers and mobile equipment mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a mechanic helper, becoming a mobile equipment mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mobile equipment mechanic has an average salary of $72,190, 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 mobile equipment mechanic are hand tools, cranes, and electrical systems.
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.
Mobile equipment mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for conducting repairs and maintenance of construction and surface mining equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. These mechanics must inspect machines and heavy equipment while evaluating operating manuals to perform diagnosis and resolve any defects. They are required to use hand and power tools to perform repairs on the defective equipment parts. Mobile equipment mechanics must also check any open circuits on the electrical systems of heavy equipment.
Mechanic helpers and mobile equipment mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic Helper | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $31,892 | $72,190 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $41,000 | Between $45,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Sierra Pacific Industries | Koch Industries |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a mechanic helper and a mobile equipment mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic Helper | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanic helpers' and mobile equipment mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic Helper | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| 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, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 1% |