Track mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between track mechanics and vehicle mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a track mechanic, becoming a vehicle mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a track mechanic has an average salary of $170,731, which is higher than the $42,628 average annual salary of a vehicle mechanic.

The top three skills for a track mechanic include track vehicles, diesel engines and electrical systems. The most important skills for a vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Track mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

	Track Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary	$170,731	$42,628
Hourly rate	$82.08	$20.49
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	34,390	37,592
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	49	42
Years of experience	4	2

Track mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

Track mechanics and vehicle mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Track Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average salary	$170,731	$42,628
Salary range	Between $88,000 And $328,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between track mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

There are a few differences between a track mechanic and a vehicle mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Track Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	General Studies	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Track mechanic vs vehicle mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between track mechanics' and vehicle mechanics' demographics:

	Track Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average age	49	42
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between track mechanic and vehicle mechanic duties and responsibilities

Track mechanic example responsibilities.

Conduct PMCS and perform sustainment maintenance in accordance with COSIS standards.
Dismantle and reassemble heavy track vehicle components using hoists and hand tools.
Inspect and troubleshoot track vehicle automotive systems, wheel vehicles and classify equipment.
Practice preventive maintenance with electrical and mechanical equipment to assure combat readiness.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Inspect MHE systems, subsystems and components.

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.

Track mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common track mechanic skills

Track Vehicles, 31%
Diesel Engines, 11%
Electrical Systems, 10%
Field Maintenance, 6%
Combat, 5%
Technical Manuals, 5%

Common vehicle mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Electrical Systems, 7%
Diesel Engines, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Shop Safety, 5%
Combat, 5%

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Track Mechanic
Track Mechanic vs Vehicle Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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