Vehicle mechanic vs car mechanic

The differences between vehicle mechanics and car 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 vehicle mechanic and a car mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, which is higher than the $37,369 average annual salary of a car mechanic.

The top three skills for a vehicle mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and diesel engines. The most important skills for a car mechanic are diagnostic tools, ASE, and engine repair.

Vehicle mechanic vs car mechanic overview

	Vehicle Mechanic	Car Mechanic
Yearly salary	$42,628	$37,369
Hourly rate	$20.49	$17.97
Growth rate	4%	1%
Number of jobs	37,592	89,782
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	2

Vehicle mechanic vs car mechanic salary

Vehicle mechanics and car mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Vehicle Mechanic	Car Mechanic
Average salary	$42,628	$37,369
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $62,000	Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Adelanto, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Google	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between vehicle mechanic and car mechanic education

There are a few differences between a vehicle mechanic and a car mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Vehicle Mechanic	Car Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Vehicle mechanic vs car mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between vehicle mechanics' and car mechanics' demographics:

	Vehicle Mechanic	Car Mechanic
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between vehicle mechanic and car mechanic duties and responsibilities

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.

Car mechanic example responsibilities.

Adjust and set mowing heights for all mowers per the superintendant.
Sharpen all mowing blades for greens mowers, rough mowers and fairway mowers.
Perform diagnostics on vehicle ECUs in addition to vehicle services such as oil, brakes, and filter changes.
Weld broken frames and battery boxes.
Preform tune-ups and A/C, and electrical repairs.
Fabricate new parts using gas torches, welder and various measuring tools.

Vehicle mechanic vs car mechanic skills

Common vehicle mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Electrical Systems, 7%
Diesel Engines, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Shop Safety, 5%
Combat, 5%

Common car mechanic skills

Diagnostic Tools, 18%
ASE, 9%
Engine Repair, 9%
Brake Pads, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 6%
Oil Changes, 6%

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Vehicle Mechanic
Vehicle Mechanic vs Car Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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