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The differences between vehicle mechanics and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a vehicle mechanic, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, 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 mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Vehicle Mechanic | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,628 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $20.49 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 37,592 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A vehicle mechanic is responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle's engine, running diagnostic tests, and performing repairs for any inconsistencies to ensure the vehicle's reliability and efficiency upon use. Vehicle mechanics coordinate with clients with their specifications and special requests, such as installing upgraded components to improve the engine's optimal performance. They create an organized report of vehicle assessments, as well as forecasting expenses to discuss with the clients, especially on meeting their budget goals.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Vehicle mechanics and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Mechanic | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $42,628 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $62,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Adelanto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a vehicle mechanic and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Mechanic | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between vehicle mechanics' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Mechanic | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 5% |