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The differences between mechanic's assistants 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's assistant, 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 $41,533 average annual salary of a mechanic's assistant.
The top three skills for a mechanic's assistant include preventative maintenance, hand tools and OSHA. The most important skills for a mobile equipment mechanic are hand tools, cranes, and electrical systems.
A mechanics assistant job involves assisting mechanics in operating, repairing, and refurbishing vehicles. Primarily, mechanics assistants work on the installation, repair, and replacement of an automobile's mechanical parts. They need to be knowledgeable of the processes and composition of automobiles. Also, they execute the opening and closing tasks in stores. The skillset for this position includes a strong work ethic, diagnostic skills, problem-solving, prior experience, customer service skills, and resourcefulness.
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's assistants and mobile equipment mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic's Assistant | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,533 | $72,190 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $63,000 | Between $45,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | ASRC Federal | Koch Industries |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Government |
There are a few differences between a mechanic's assistant and a mobile equipment mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic's Assistant | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanic's assistants' and mobile equipment mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic's Assistant | Mobile Equipment Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.4% 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% |