Vehicle mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic

The differences between vehicle mechanics and wheel alignment 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 wheel alignment mechanic. Additionally, a vehicle mechanic has an average salary of $42,628, which is higher than the $41,985 average annual salary of a wheel alignment mechanic.

The top three skills for a vehicle mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and diesel engines. The most important skills for a wheel alignment mechanic are electrical systems, troubleshoot, and preventive maintenance checks.

Vehicle mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic overview

	Vehicle Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Yearly salary	$42,628	$41,985
Hourly rate	$20.49	$20.19
Growth rate	4%	1%
Number of jobs	37,592	34,558
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	2

Vehicle mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic salary

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

	Vehicle Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average salary	$42,628	$41,985
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $62,000	Between $26,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Adelanto, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Google	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between vehicle mechanic and wheel alignment mechanic education

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

	Vehicle Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Vehicle mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between vehicle mechanics' and wheel alignment mechanics' demographics:

	Vehicle Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between vehicle mechanic and wheel alignment 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.

Wheel alignment mechanic example responsibilities.

Service and repair for Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen automobiles.
Raise trucks, vehicles, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
Perform maintenance on M113, M88, M1A1, and M578 track vehicles.
Diagnose and repair M113 family of vehicles.
Diagnose electrical, air, hydraulics, and fuel problems on a variety of vehicles such as AVLB and M88 tanks.

Vehicle mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic skills

Common vehicle mechanic skills

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

Common wheel alignment mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Preventive Maintenance Checks, 5%
Hydraulic Systems, 5%
Equipment Systems, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 5%

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Vehicle Mechanic vs Wheel Alignment Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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