Rig mechanic vs set-up mechanic

The differences between rig mechanics and set-up 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 rig mechanic and a set-up mechanic. Additionally, a rig mechanic has an average salary of $44,088, which is higher than the $41,840 average annual salary of a set-up mechanic.

The top three skills for a rig mechanic include hand tools, troubleshoot and mechanical equipment. The most important skills for a set-up mechanic are FDA, GMP, and safety procedures.

Rig mechanic vs set-up mechanic overview

	Rig Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Yearly salary	$44,088	$41,840
Hourly rate	$21.20	$20.12
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	89,556	34,988
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Rig mechanic vs set-up mechanic salary

Rig mechanics and set-up mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rig Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Average salary	$44,088	$41,840
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $66,000	Between $33,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	-	San Fernando, CA
Highest paying state	-	Colorado
Best paying company	-	Pactiv
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between rig mechanic and set-up mechanic education

There are a few differences between a rig mechanic and a set-up mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Rig Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Industrial Technology
Most common college	-	-

Rig mechanic vs set-up mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between rig mechanics' and set-up mechanics' demographics:

	Rig Mechanic	Set-Up Mechanic
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.4% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between rig mechanic and set-up mechanic duties and responsibilities

Rig mechanic example responsibilities.

Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Set-up mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Audit production lines to ensure quality is being meet as well as FDA standards are being follow.
Repair and produce product using extrusion equipment ie, Reifienhausen and PTI.
Set up and run CNC mills for medical and various other manufacture parts.
Repair, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform PMs on conveyor systems control by PLC and pneumatic control switches.
Perform training /maintenance techniques on a variety of equipment including furnaces, vacuum pumps, high-pressure washers and CNC machining equipment.

Rig mechanic vs set-up mechanic skills

Common rig mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 13%
Troubleshoot, 12%
Mechanical Equipment, 10%
Cranes, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 7%
Mud Pumps, 6%

Common set-up mechanic skills

FDA, 12%
GMP, 11%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electrical Troubleshooting, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 9%
Safety Standards, 8%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Rig Mechanic
Rig Mechanic vs Set-Up Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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