How To Become A Truck Trailer Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

What is a truck trailer mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Truck trailer mechanics inspect, repair, and maintain all kinds of trucks and trailers. Their role is essential in ensuring that trucks do not fail in the middle of transit, which is imperative in maintaining the safety of the operator, pedestrians, and other motorists.

The typical workday of a truck trailer mechanic involves conducting routine inspections on trucks, replacing worn parts, making necessary replacements, performing repairs, and installing upgrades. They are responsible for ensuring that all truck trailers are compliant with all the safety requirements as mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and perform their duties under OSHA regulations.

As with other mechanic jobs, a truck trailer mechanic needs to have at least a high school diploma and an apprenticeship or similar training on truck trailer maintenance. Experience operating a truck is also a typical requirement, but only at the basic level. Furthermore, a truck trailer mechanic must have a good understanding of government-mandated safety laws and regulations, as well as a high level of physical fitness to meet the demands of the job.

Truck trailer mechanics make around $47,000 per year, which is roughly $23 per hour. Mechanics with higher levels of experience or certifications have the potential to make even more.

ScoreTruck Trailer MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,768

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.07%

Asian 2.47%

Black or African American 8.90%

Hispanic or Latino 15.69%

Unknown 5.02%

White 66.84%

Gender

female 3.92%

male 96.08%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a truck trailer mechanic

Explore truck trailer mechanic education requirements

Most common truck trailer mechanic degrees

High School Diploma

46.6 %

Associate

21.6 %

Diploma

16.8 %

Start to develop specific truck trailer mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	30.11%
Landing Gear	9.64%
Hand Tools	9.62%
Safety Devices	8.61%
Diagnostics	4.64%

Complete relevant truck trailer mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New truck trailer mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a truck trailer mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real truck trailer mechanic resumes.

Research truck trailer mechanic duties and responsibilities

Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
Perform PMs, A/C repair , 12 Volta electrical diagnosis and repairs.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Assign duties and examine work for cleanliness, presentation, neatness and conformance to store policies and procedures.

Prepare your truck trailer mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your truck trailer mechanic resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a truck trailer mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable truck trailer mechanic resume templates

Build a professional truck trailer mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your truck trailer mechanic resume.