Wheel alignment mechanic vs field mechanic

The differences between wheel alignment mechanics and field 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 wheel alignment mechanic and a field mechanic. Additionally, a field mechanic has an average salary of $46,395, which is higher than the $41,985 average annual salary of a wheel alignment mechanic.

The top three skills for a wheel alignment mechanic include electrical systems, troubleshoot and preventive maintenance checks. The most important skills for a field mechanic are CDL, construction equipment, and cranes.

Wheel alignment mechanic vs field mechanic overview

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Field Mechanic
Yearly salary	$41,985	$46,395
Hourly rate	$20.19	$22.31
Growth rate	1%	4%
Number of jobs	34,558	135,482
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	2	2

Wheel alignment mechanic vs field mechanic salary

Wheel alignment mechanics and field mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Field Mechanic
Average salary	$41,985	$46,395
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $67,000	Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between wheel alignment mechanic and field mechanic education

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

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Field Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Wheel alignment mechanic vs field mechanic demographics

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

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Field Mechanic
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between wheel alignment mechanic and field mechanic duties and responsibilities

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.

Field mechanic example responsibilities.

Have visited various locations and have accomplished field preventive maintenance on compressors.
Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and handtools.
Supervise mechanics in the diagnosis and repair of technical difficulties, installation and in mechanical failures of military equipment.
Construct and assemble sub- assemblies and assemble components including shafts, pulley, bearings, gearboxes and conveyor components.
Repair and maintain the tar kettles and up keep of all compressors, and push behind blowers.
Perform all levels of repair and maintenance for school buses, vans, pickups, trailers, mowers and snow blowers.

Wheel alignment mechanic vs field mechanic skills

Common wheel alignment mechanic skills

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

Common field mechanic skills

CDL, 13%
Construction Equipment, 10%
Cranes, 7%
Hydraulic Systems, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Asphalt, 4%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Wheel Alignment Mechanic vs Field Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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