What does a vehicle mechanic do?
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.
Vehicle mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vehicle mechanic resumes:
- 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.
- Create facility maps and building diagrams displaying underground utility locations and extensive HVAC distribution system.
- Coordinate with inspection department to ensure compliance with internal and FAA inspection and documentation requirements.
- Provide automotive repairs on gasoline power vehicles ranging from diagnosis to part replacement to performance modifications
- Utilize practical experience with using specialize precision diagnostics equipment to troubleshoot advance electrical and electronics problems.
- Work in several versatile, rapidly changing environments to ensure combat readiness and continuity or transportation.
- Conduct recovery evacuation operations utilizing recovery-rigging techniques to attach and secure hoists, cables, and slings.
- Work independently or assist higher grade mechanic on an irregular rotating basis throughout a production line assembling combat vehicles.
- Perform maintenance on pumps, gearboxes, couplings, and cooling towers.
- Operate heavy equipment, cranes, hoisting and recovery equipment.
Vehicle mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Vehicle Mechanics are proficient in Hand Tools, Electrical Systems, and Diesel Engines. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Vehicle Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 9%
Reassembled repaired military generator motors to specified requirements and ratings, using hand tools and electrical meters.
- Electrical Systems, 7%
Read technical manuals, schematics, troubleshot electrical systems, prepared associated maintenance paperwork and requested parts and managed parts inventory.
- Diesel Engines, 6%
Diagnosed malfunctions and performs and supervises corrective maintenance on diesel engines and power generating units.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Utilized practical experience with using specialized precision diagnostics equipment to troubleshoot advanced electrical and electronics problems.
- Shop Safety, 5%
Prevented shop safety violations and demonstrated safe working habits and procedures.
- Combat, 5%
Served in the Tactical Operations Center relating crucial information between military leaders in times of combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Most vehicle mechanics use their skills in "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "diesel engines" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential vehicle mechanic responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a vehicle mechanic to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what vehicle mechanics do because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a vehicle mechanic resume shows how vehicle mechanics use customer-service skills: "provided technical guidance and advice to the customer. "
Detail oriented. Many vehicle mechanic duties rely on detail oriented. "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes.," so a vehicle mechanic will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways vehicle mechanic responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "served as personal security detail and combat driver for command mvps. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for vehicle mechanics to perform their duties. For an example of how vehicle mechanic responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a vehicle mechanic: "operated wide variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, cranes drill press, forklift and basichand tools. ".
Mechanical skills. For certain vehicle mechanic responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a vehicle mechanic rely on this skill, as "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what vehicle mechanics do: "general mechanical maintenance on trucks * conduct preventive maintenance checks * organizing work shop. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for vehicle mechanic responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of vehicle mechanics all the time, as "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." An excerpt from a real vehicle mechanic resume shows how this skill is central to what a vehicle mechanic does: "performed organizational and direct support combat basic medical training (assist medics out the field) deployed overseas (iraq)"
Physical strength. Lastly, "physical strength" is an important element of what a vehicle mechanic does. Vehicle mechanic responsibilities require this skill because "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." This resume example highlights how vehicle mechanic duties rely on this skill: "use and care of tools/power tools, shop safety, maintenance discipline, information systems security and physical fitness. "
The three companies that hire the most vehicle mechanics are:
- Amwaste Inc.272 vehicle mechanics jobs
- Snowshoe Mountain30 vehicle mechanics jobs
- Crystal Mountain28 vehicle mechanics jobs
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Compare different vehicle mechanics
Vehicle mechanic vs. Mechanic's assistant
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, vehicle mechanic responsibilities require skills like "shop safety," "combat," "technical manuals," and "ignition systems." Meanwhile a typical mechanic's assistant has skills in areas such as "preventative maintenance," "osha," "safety equipment," and "service calls." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Mechanic's assistants tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,930. In contrast, vehicle mechanics make the biggest average salary, $59,137, in the manufacturing industry.mechanic's assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than vehicle mechanics. In fact, mechanic's assistants are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle mechanic vs. Truck technician
Truck technicians are skilled employees who are responsible for working and inspecting the mechanical parts of trucks such as the engine, wheels, accelerator, and brakes. These technicians must use specialized instruments and tools to diagnose problems and repair parts. They are required to possess extensive knowledge of mechanical technology, diagnostic computers, and electrical equipment to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently. Truck technicians must also record their maintenance and repair work so that future mechanics and technicians know what work has been completed.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, vehicle mechanic responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "shop safety," "combat," "technical manuals," and "vehicle maintenance." Meanwhile, a truck technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "customer service," and "hvac." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, truck technicians earn a higher salary than vehicle mechanics. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, truck technicians earn the most pay in the utilities industry with an average salary of $48,191. Whereas vehicle mechanics have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $59,137.truck technicians earn similar levels of education than vehicle mechanics in general. They're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle mechanic vs. Journeyman/mechanic
A journeyman mechanic is responsible for diagnosing problems on a vehicle's onboard computer system through a variety of methods, including visual and test-driving vehicles. They oversee environmental guidelines, including legal guidelines for workplace safety, hazardous material disposal guidelines, and other regulatory issues. A journeyman mechanic also supervises the work of apprentices, interacts with clients, and maintains their skill through training.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from vehicle mechanic resumes include skills like "troubleshoot," "shop safety," "combat," and "vehicle maintenance," whereas a journeyman/mechanic is more likely to list skills in "hvac," "mechanical troubleshooting," "preventative maintenance," and "mechanical equipment. "
Journeyman/mechanics earn the highest salary when working in the utilities industry, where they receive an average salary of $64,298. Comparatively, vehicle mechanics have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $59,137.journeyman/mechanics typically earn similar educational levels compared to vehicle mechanics. Specifically, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle mechanic vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between vehicle mechanics and mechanic helpers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a vehicle mechanic might have more use for skills like "troubleshoot," "shop safety," "combat," and "vehicle maintenance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of mechanic helpers require skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "preventive maintenance," and "safety equipment. "
Mechanic helpers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $36,229. For comparison, vehicle mechanics earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.The average resume of mechanic helpers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to vehicle mechanics. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of vehicle mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
