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The differences between mechanical maintenance supervisors and lead mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mechanical maintenance supervisor and a lead mechanic. Additionally, a mechanical maintenance supervisor has an average salary of $74,298, which is higher than the $54,471 average annual salary of a lead mechanic.
The top three skills for a mechanical maintenance supervisor include preventative maintenance, CMMS and equipment maintenance. The most important skills for a lead mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.
| Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $74,298 | $54,471 |
| Hourly rate | $35.72 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 97,565 | 86,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A mechanical maintenance supervisor oversees the daily maintenance of machinery and systems in buildings or establishments. They manage teams of mechanics and technicians, supervise and coordinate maintenance activities, liaise with external parties such as vendors and suppliers, process the procurement of supplies, delegate tasks and responsibilities among staff, and develop action plans and strategies to optimize operations. Moreover, a mechanical maintenance supervisor regularly conducts inspections and maintenance checks to ensure everything complies with the company's safety standards and regulations.
A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.
Mechanical maintenance supervisors and lead mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $74,298 | $54,471 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $95,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Macy's | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a mechanical maintenance supervisor and a lead mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between mechanical maintenance supervisors' and lead mechanics' demographics:
| Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |