Mechanic helper vs truck mechanic

The differences between mechanic helpers and truck 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 truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, 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 truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.

Mechanic helper vs truck mechanic overview

	Mechanic Helper	Truck Mechanic
Yearly salary	$31,892	$50,169
Hourly rate	$15.33	$24.12
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,546	80,942
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a mechanic helper do?

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.

What does a truck mechanic do?

Also known as diesel services technicians, truck mechanics perform various heavy-duty truck tasks. The technicians work on large vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses. It is their duty to inspect, make diagnoses, and repair the brake systems and other electrical components. They conduct routine maintenance work, which aims for longevity and functionality. It is also important for them to have skills in communication, organization, computer system, and administrative tasks.

Mechanic helper vs truck mechanic salary

Mechanic helpers and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanic Helper	Truck Mechanic
Average salary	$31,892	$50,169
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Sacramento, CA	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	Alaska	Nevada
Best paying company	Sierra Pacific Industries	Allan A. Myers
Best paying industry	Professional	Energy

Differences between mechanic helper and truck mechanic education

There are a few differences between a mechanic helper and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Mechanic Helper	Truck Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Mechanic helper vs truck mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between mechanic helpers' and truck mechanics' demographics:

	Mechanic Helper	Truck 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between mechanic helper and truck mechanic duties and responsibilities

Mechanic helper example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
Change motors, diagnose problems and clean air conditioner units and maintain HVAC equipment.
Install or replace HVAC machinery, equipment and parts and using power tools or by hand.
Operate hoists, and pulleys when removing units such as large compressors, condensers and chillers.
Used specialty tools such as fixtures, engine hoists, jacks, brake caliper tools, pulley pullers and torque wrenches.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Truck mechanic example responsibilities.

Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
Detail completion in writing of diagnosis and repair on company repair order.
Raise trucks, buses and heavy parts and equipment using hydraulic jacks and hoists.
Service air system and troubleshoot, repair, and service air conditioning systems on trucks.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Perform all FHWA and D.O.T.

Mechanic helper vs truck mechanic skills

Common mechanic helper skills

Hand Tools, 24%
Work Ethic, 11%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Oil Changes, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

Common truck mechanic skills

CDL, 18%
Customer Service, 12%
Electrical Systems, 6%
Diesel Engines, 4%
DOT, 4%
Hand Tools, 4%

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Mechanic Helper vs Truck Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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