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The differences between truck trailer mechanics and light wheel 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 truck trailer mechanic and a light wheel mechanic. Additionally, a truck trailer mechanic has an average salary of $48,768, which is higher than the $41,948 average annual salary of a light wheel mechanic.
The top three skills for a truck trailer mechanic include CDL, landing gear and hand tools. The most important skills for a light wheel mechanic are mechanical problems, electrical systems, and equipment systems.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $48,768 | $41,948 |
| Hourly rate | $23.45 | $20.17 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,876 | 90,297 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Heavy-duty trucks and trailers often break down after continuous use, and that is where a mechanic's job is very important. A truck trailer mechanic inspects, troubleshoots, and repairs all sizes of trucks and trailers. They also conduct routine preventive inspections and repair brakes, tires, steering, and mobile AC refrigeration. They are responsible for ensuring that all trailers under their care meet all road safety requirements from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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.
Truck trailer mechanics and light wheel mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $48,768 | $41,948 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $25,000 And $67,000 |
| 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 light wheel mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck trailer mechanics' and light wheel mechanics' demographics:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Light Wheel Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| 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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |