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Motor mechanic vs diesel mechanic

The differences between motor mechanics and diesel 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 motor mechanic and a diesel mechanic. Additionally, a diesel mechanic has an average salary of $49,842, which is higher than the $37,800 average annual salary of a motor mechanic.

The top three skills for a motor mechanic include automotive vehicles, electric motors and mechanical equipment. The most important skills for a diesel mechanic are CDL, preventative maintenance, and DOT.

Motor mechanic vs diesel mechanic overview

Motor MechanicDiesel Mechanic
Yearly salary$37,800$49,842
Hourly rate$18.17$23.96
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs34,92585,684
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Motor mechanic vs diesel mechanic salary

Motor mechanics and diesel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Motor MechanicDiesel Mechanic
Average salary$37,800$49,842
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $52,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Hensel Phelps
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between motor mechanic and diesel mechanic education

There are a few differences between a motor mechanic and a diesel mechanic in terms of educational background:

Motor MechanicDiesel Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Motor mechanic vs diesel mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between motor mechanics' and diesel mechanics' demographics:

Motor MechanicDiesel Mechanic
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.4% Female, 3.6%Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between motor mechanic and diesel mechanic duties and responsibilities

Motor mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Rewire and maintain all components on boats.
  • Repair and service blowers, weed eaters, and chainsaws.
  • Perform minor and major diagnosis and repair on transmission control systems.
  • Perform all maintenance and rebuilds on BMW and Renault vehicles, complete theoretical and practical portion of apprenticeship.
  • Disassemble, inspect, clean, repair, test, and reassemble basic and routine DC electromechanical motors and equipment.
  • Train mechanics on basic and advance preventative maintenance techniques as well as effective vehicle diagnosis.
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Diesel mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Install and rebuild hydraulic systems on trucks to include cylinders, PTO pumps, and hoses.
  • Repair diesel engines; replace clutches, water pumps, turbo, alternators, brakes and HVAC.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot various kinds of heavy equipment like forklifts, graders, loaders and, buses.
  • Perform diagnosis and repairs to electrical systems as failures/problems occur.
  • Utilize CDL to test drive vehicles.
  • Maintain driveline and brake components of fleet trucks.
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Motor mechanic vs diesel mechanic skills

Common motor mechanic skills
  • Automotive Vehicles, 15%
  • Electric Motors, 13%
  • Mechanical Equipment, 11%
  • Ac, 11%
  • Dc, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 5%
Common diesel mechanic skills
  • CDL, 19%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • DOT, 11%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Diagnosis, 4%

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