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The differences between shop 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 shop mechanic and a field mechanic. Additionally, a shop mechanic has an average salary of $47,377, which is higher than the $46,395 average annual salary of a field mechanic.
The top three skills for a shop mechanic include hand tools, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.
| Shop Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,377 | $46,395 |
| Hourly rate | $22.78 | $22.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 100,379 | 135,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A shop mechanic is responsible for maintaining and repairing defective machinery and vehicles. Shop mechanics identify the disrupted components by inspecting and running diagnostic tests and informing the owner of the necessary procedures they need to take. They discuss the costs and expenses, the materials to be used, and the duration to fix the machine upon analyzing its complexity. A shop mechanic monitors the shop inventory, assemble parts, and upgrade engines and machinery for optimal performance.
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.
Shop mechanics and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shop Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,377 | $46,395 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Wilson Construction | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a shop mechanic and a field mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Shop Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between shop mechanics' and field mechanics' demographics:
| Shop Mechanic | Field Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.2% 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% |