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The differences between mechanics and light wheel 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 and a light wheel mechanic. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $41,948 average annual salary of a light wheel mechanic.
The top three skills for a mechanic include hand tools, preventive maintenance and customer service. The most important skills for a light wheel mechanic are mechanical problems, electrical systems, and equipment systems.
| Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,149 | $41,948 |
| Hourly rate | $22.67 | $20.17 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 100,534 | 90,297 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 light wheel mechanic is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance and efficiency of light-wheeled vehicles used for industrial operations, especially in a military setting. Light wheel mechanics inspect the condition of the vehicle's engine, perform preventive maintenance, replace defective components, assemble upgrade systems based on schematics and blueprints, and create resolution reports for reference. They must have excellent knowledge of the auto-mechanic industry to determine faults and identify repairs, avoiding delays, complications, and hazards during operations.
Mechanics and light wheel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,149 | $41,948 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $63,000 | Between $25,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | - |
| Best paying company | Anheuser-Busch | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a mechanic and a light wheel mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanics' and light wheel mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| 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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |