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The differences between service mechanics and truck 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 truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, which is higher than the $47,240 average annual salary of a service mechanic.
The top three skills for a service mechanic include customer service, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Service Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,240 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $22.71 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 116,383 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| 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.
Also known as diesel services technicians, truck mechanics perform various heavy-duty truck tasks. The technicians work on large vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses. It is their duty to inspect, make diagnoses, and repair the brake systems and other electrical components. They conduct routine maintenance work, which aims for longevity and functionality. It is also important for them to have skills in communication, organization, computer system, and administrative tasks.
Service mechanics and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,240 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $66,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a service mechanic and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Service Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service mechanics' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Service Mechanic | Truck 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |