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The differences between truck trailer mechanics and mechanic's assistants 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 mechanic's assistant. Additionally, a truck trailer mechanic has an average salary of $48,768, which is higher than the $41,533 average annual salary of a mechanic's assistant.
The top three skills for a truck trailer mechanic include CDL, landing gear and hand tools. The most important skills for a mechanic's assistant are preventative maintenance, hand tools, and OSHA.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Mechanic's Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $48,768 | $41,533 |
| Hourly rate | $23.45 | $19.97 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,876 | 40,249 |
| 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 mechanics assistant job involves assisting mechanics in operating, repairing, and refurbishing vehicles. Primarily, mechanics assistants work on the installation, repair, and replacement of an automobile's mechanical parts. They need to be knowledgeable of the processes and composition of automobiles. Also, they execute the opening and closing tasks in stores. The skillset for this position includes a strong work ethic, diagnostic skills, problem-solving, prior experience, customer service skills, and resourcefulness.
Truck trailer mechanics and mechanic's assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Mechanic's Assistant | |
| Average salary | $48,768 | $41,533 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $27,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | ASRC Federal |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a truck trailer mechanic and a mechanic's assistant in terms of educational background:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Mechanic's Assistant | |
| 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 mechanic's assistants' demographics:
| Truck Trailer Mechanic | Mechanic's Assistant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% |
| 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, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |