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The differences between service mechanics and trailer 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 trailer mechanic. Additionally, a service mechanic has an average salary of $47,240, which is higher than the $42,569 average annual salary of a trailer mechanic.
The top three skills for a service mechanic include customer service, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a trailer mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and work ethic.
| Service Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,240 | $42,569 |
| Hourly rate | $22.71 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 116,383 | 86,057 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
A trailer mechanic specializes in providing repair services on large vehicles such as trailers, semi-trucks, and tractors. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, inspecting machinery and electrical systems, diagnosing issues, conducting fixes and replacements, and explaining the extent of damage or repairs to clients. There are also instances where they must devise testing strategies, ensuring compliance with the government's policies. Furthermore, a trailer mechanic must maintain regular maintenance checks on vehicles to ensure the safety of operators and the efficiency of workflow.
Service mechanics and trailer mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,240 | $42,569 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $66,000 | Between $32,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | Dayton Freight |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a service mechanic and a trailer mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Service Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service mechanics' and trailer mechanics' demographics:
| Service Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% | Male, 98.0% Female, 2.0% |
| 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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |