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The differences between shop 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 shop mechanic and a truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, which is higher than the $47,377 average annual salary of a shop mechanic.
The top three skills for a shop mechanic include hand tools, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Shop Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,377 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $22.78 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 100,379 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| 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.
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.
Shop mechanics and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shop Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,377 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Wilson Construction | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between a shop mechanic and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Shop Mechanic | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between shop mechanics' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Shop Mechanic | Truck 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, 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% |