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The differences between mechanic's assistants 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's assistant and a truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, 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 truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Mechanic's Assistant | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,533 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 40,249 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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's assistants and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic's Assistant | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,533 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $63,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New York | Nevada |
| Best paying company | ASRC Federal | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanic's assistant and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic's Assistant | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanic's assistants' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanic's Assistant | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| 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, 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% |