Vehicle mechanic vs mechanic driver

The differences between vehicle mechanics and mechanic 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 vehicle mechanic and a mechanic driver. Additionally, a mechanic driver has an average salary of $47,243, which is higher than the $42,628 average annual salary of a vehicle mechanic.

The top three skills for a vehicle mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and diesel engines. The most important skills for a mechanic driver are tractor trailer, CDL, and dump truck.

Vehicle mechanic vs mechanic driver overview

	Vehicle Mechanic	Mechanic Driver
Yearly salary	$42,628	$47,243
Hourly rate	$20.49	$22.71
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	37,592	116,538
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Vehicle mechanic vs mechanic driver salary

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

	Vehicle Mechanic	Mechanic Driver
Average salary	$42,628	$47,243
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $62,000	Between $34,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	Adelanto, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Google	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between vehicle mechanic and mechanic driver education

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

	Vehicle Mechanic	Mechanic Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Vehicle mechanic vs mechanic driver demographics

Here are the differences between vehicle mechanics' and mechanic drivers' demographics:

	Vehicle Mechanic	Mechanic Driver
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%	Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between vehicle mechanic and mechanic driver 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.

Mechanic driver example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
DOT inspections, replacing brakes, tires, king pins shackle pins.
Repair and replace damage or worn parts and troubleshoot problems.
Metal fabrication and MIG welding to restore serviceability of equipment.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Vehicle mechanic vs mechanic driver skills

Common vehicle mechanic skills

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

Common mechanic driver skills

Tractor Trailer, 18%
CDL, 8%
Dump Truck, 8%
Preventative Maintenance, 8%
DOT, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%

Vehicle Mechanic vs. similar jobs

Vehicle Mechanic related careers

Vehicle Mechanic related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Vehicle Mechanic
Vehicle Mechanic vs Mechanic Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs