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The differences between section chiefs 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 section chief and a lead mechanic. Additionally, a section chief has an average salary of $78,816, which is higher than the $54,471 average annual salary of a lead mechanic.
The top three skills for a section chief include safety procedures, training programs and professional development. The most important skills for a lead mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.
| Section Chief | Lead Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $78,816 | $54,471 |
| Hourly rate | $37.89 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 13,655 | 86,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties. A section chief is the head of a unit and provides leadership, motivation, and management of a section of employees. Their duties and responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing budgets, expenditure, and section activities.
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.
Section chiefs and lead mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Section Chief | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $78,816 | $54,471 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $163,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Learjet | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a section chief and a lead mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Section Chief | Lead Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between section chiefs' and lead mechanics' demographics:
| Section Chief | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.6% 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% |