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The differences between mechanics and general maintenance 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, becoming a general maintenance mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $37,631 average annual salary of a general maintenance mechanic.
The top three skills for a mechanic include hand tools, preventive maintenance and customer service. The most important skills for a general maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and customer service.
| Mechanic | General Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,149 | $37,631 |
| Hourly rate | $22.67 | $18.09 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 100,534 | 167,937 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.
A general maintenance mechanic is responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities and inspecting the condition and performance of the equipment and machinery for business operations and processes. General maintenance mechanics handle equipment repairs and replacement of defective components, requiring them to have extensive knowledge of the mechanical industry. They also install and assemble equipment by analyzing mechanical schematics and blueprints accurately. A general maintenance mechanic creates a comprehensive schedule of inspection, repairs, and quality control checks to preserve the safe standards of the premises.
Mechanics and general maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic | General Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,149 | $37,631 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $63,000 | Between $27,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Anheuser-Busch | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a mechanic and a general maintenance mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic | General Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanics' and general maintenance mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic | General Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |