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The differences between shop 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 shop mechanic and a trailer mechanic. Additionally, a shop mechanic has an average salary of $47,377, which is higher than the $42,569 average annual salary of a trailer mechanic.
The top three skills for a shop mechanic include hand tools, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a trailer mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and work ethic.
| Shop Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,377 | $42,569 |
| Hourly rate | $22.78 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 100,379 | 86,057 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
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.
Shop mechanics and trailer mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shop Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,377 | $42,569 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $32,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Wilson Construction | Dayton Freight |
| Best paying industry | Government | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a shop mechanic and a trailer mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Shop Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between shop mechanics' and trailer mechanics' demographics:
| Shop Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 98.0% Female, 2.0% |
| 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, 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% |