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The differences between truck trailer mechanics and diesel truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a truck trailer mechanic and a diesel truck driver. Additionally, a truck trailer mechanic has an average salary of $48,768, which is higher than the $43,702 average annual salary of a diesel truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck trailer mechanic include CDL, landing gear and hand tools. The most important skills for a diesel truck driver are CDL, cranes, and OTR.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Diesel Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $48,768 | $43,702 |
| Hourly rate | $23.45 | $21.01 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,876 | 684,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Truck trailer mechanics and diesel truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Diesel Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $48,768 | $43,702 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $32,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a truck trailer mechanic and a diesel truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Diesel Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck trailer mechanics' and diesel truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Diesel Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 99.6% Female, 0.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |