What does a truck technician do?
Truck technicians are skilled employees who are responsible for working and inspecting the mechanical parts of trucks such as the engine, wheels, accelerator, and brakes. These technicians must use specialized instruments and tools to diagnose problems and repair parts. They are required to possess extensive knowledge of mechanical technology, diagnostic computers, and electrical equipment to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently. Truck technicians must also record their maintenance and repair work so that future mechanics and technicians know what work has been completed.
Truck technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real truck technician resumes:
- Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
- Install or repair air conditioners and service components, such as compressors, condensers, and controls.
- Inspect, diagnose, and repair engines, transmissions, electric systems, a/c systems, and drive systems on trucks.
- Service and diagnostic on HVAC systems and electronic systems.
- Train on negative air machines, power wash machine and HVAC's.
- Perform diagnostics, repair and overhaul, as well as warranty work on A/C systems.
- Work on semi-trailers, consisting of Mig welding, frame, body work, and air brakes.
- Perform inspection, repair, and test of used Toyota cars and trucks in preparation for sale.
- Articulate loaders and personnel carriers.
- Certify Isuzu certify and Peterbilt certify.
- Maintain shop safety requirements and cleanliness standards.
- Repair and do complete rebuild of aluminum trailers.move back to Illinois
- Practice safety procedures and shop cleanliness also maintain proper tool maintenance.
- Train and learned electronic engine diagnosis and repair -gain experience in truck, bus applications -Proficient in engine overhaul and base troubleshooting
- Have used multiple diagnostic programs also can mig weld steel and aluminum.
Truck technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Truck Technicians are proficient in CDL, Preventative Maintenance, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Truck Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 21%
Repair trucks & refrigeration units of all types * Performed off site & on the road maintenance & repairs * Georgia CDL
- Preventative Maintenance, 14%
Spearheaded scheduling and quarterly preventative maintenance inspections on all customer trailers to include DOT Federal Annual Inspection Requirements.
- Customer Service, 6%
Specialized in diagnostics and electrical Customization and Modifications of specialty cars Transmission R+I Customer Service and Support
- Electrical Systems, 4%
Serviced air conditioning systems, diagnosed and repaired engine-cooling and electrical systems.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Perform maintenance, using hand tools, power tools, jacks, welders, torches, and precision measuring tools.
- HVAC, 4%
Experienced with Detroit Diesel Electronic Controls, transmissions and axles, steering, air brakes and HVAC.
Common skills that a truck technician uses to do their job include "cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important truck technician responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a truck technician to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a truck technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "performed diesel truck maintenance services ensured customer satisfaction maintain a clean and safe work area"
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling truck technician duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes." According to a truck technician resume, here's how truck technicians can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "detail -- auto body -- motor cycle assembly -- service calls -- maintenance -- snow plowing"
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of truck technicians is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday truck technician duties, as "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "certified through o'day to operate forklifts and operated cranes and overhead cranes. "
Mechanical skills. truck technician responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example shows what truck technicians do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "diagnosed mechanical difficulties and performed general repairs on automotive, forklifts, compressors and concrete pumps. "
Physical strength. Another crucial skill for a truck technician to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what truck technicians relies on this skill, since "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." How this skill relates to truck technician duties can be seen in an example from a truck technician resume snippet: "strengthen customer satisfaction by taking pride in the work and by focusing on properly diagnosing and repairing vehicles. "
Troubleshooting skills. Lastly, "troubleshooting skills" is an important element of what a truck technician does. Truck technician responsibilities require this skill because "diesel technicians use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in mechanical and electronic systems." This resume example highlights how truck technician duties rely on this skill: "provided maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnosing and repair of diesel trucks, trailers and related systems. "
The three companies that hire the most truck technicians are:
- Snider Fleet Solutions45 truck technicians jobs
- CSM Companies34 truck technicians jobs
- Goodyear23 truck technicians jobs
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Compare different truck technicians
Truck technician vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between truck technicians and mechanic helper. For instance, truck technician responsibilities require skills such as "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "customer service," and "troubleshoot." Whereas a mechanic helper is skilled in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "preventive maintenance," and "safety equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Mechanic helpers tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,229. In contrast, truck technicians make the biggest average salary, $48,191, in the utilities industry.mechanic helpers tend to reach similar levels of education than truck technicians. In fact, mechanic helpers are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Truck technician vs. Light wheel mechanic
A light wheel mechanic is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance and efficiency of light-wheeled vehicles used for industrial operations, especially in a military setting. Light wheel mechanics inspect the condition of the vehicle's engine, perform preventive maintenance, replace defective components, assemble upgrade systems based on schematics and blueprints, and create resolution reports for reference. They must have excellent knowledge of the auto-mechanic industry to determine faults and identify repairs, avoiding delays, complications, and hazards during operations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, truck technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "customer service," and "hand tools." Meanwhile, a light wheel mechanic has duties that require skills in areas such as "mechanical problems," "equipment systems," "mos," and "track vehicles." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Light wheel mechanics tend to reach similar levels of education than truck technicians. In fact, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for truck technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Trish Serratore
Senior VP Communications, ASE
Truck technician vs. Diesel mechanic
A diesel mechanic is a skilled technician responsible for the checking, maintenance, and repair of diesel engines. Diesel mechanics duties also include regular inspections of vehicles upon customer's request to ensure the smooth performance of the machine, communicate on any system issue that might cause malfunctions, and provide any replacement to renovate a damaged part of the engine. A diesel mechanic must be highly-knowledgeable on everything related to diesel engines to provide the best, long-term solutions for the customers.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from truck technician resumes include skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "customer vehicles," and "ase," whereas a diesel mechanic is more likely to list skills in "dot," "diagnosis," "ladders," and "maintenance services. "
Diesel mechanics earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $54,273. Comparatively, truck technicians have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $48,191.diesel mechanics typically earn similar educational levels compared to truck technicians. Specifically, they're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Truck technician vs. Shop mechanic
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.
Types of truck technician
Updated January 8, 2025
