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The differences between service mechanics and field 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 service mechanic and a field mechanic. Additionally, a service mechanic has an average salary of $47,240, which is higher than the $46,395 average annual salary of a field mechanic.
The top three skills for a service mechanic include customer service, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Service Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,240 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $22.71 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 116,383 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A service mechanic, or often known as a service technician, is an individual who inspects, maintains, and repairs cars and light trucks. Service mechanics must identify the vehicle's problems by using computerized diagnostic equipment and test parts and systems to ensure that they work properly. They must perform basic vehicular care and maintenance such as changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires. Service mechanics should also explain automotive problems to customers and perform repairs according to the manufacturer ad customer specifications.
The primary job of a field mechanic is to manage on-site installation, maintenance, test, and repair tasks. Field mechanics diagnose technical problems or errors and identify the appropriate solutions. They deliver heavy equipment, facility maintenance, and load and unload equipment. They work on transmissions, electrical systems, hydraulics, engines, and welding repairs. Their duties involve service truck maintenance to keep service truck inventory. Also, they maintain enough materials and supplies on a service truck for common repairs.
Service mechanics and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,240 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $66,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | - |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a service mechanic and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Service Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service mechanics' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Service Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |