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Auto detailer vs service porter

The differences between auto detailers and service porters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an auto detailer has an average salary of $28,746, which is higher than the $28,469 average annual salary of a service porter.

The top three skills for an auto detailer include shampoo carpets, general maintenance and service tools. The most important skills for a service porter are customer vehicles, cleanliness, and work ethic.

Auto detailer vs service porter overview

Auto DetailerService Porter
Yearly salary$28,746$28,469
Hourly rate$13.82$13.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs11,01810,027
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does an auto detailer do?

An auto or car detailer is an employee who provides internal and external cleaning services for vehicles according to the clients' needs. Auto detailers provide the necessary cleaning services that can include steaming the interiors, vacuuming the carpets, and applying waxes and polishes. They are required to perform inspections of vehicles and provide accurate records of the vehicle's condition. By clients' requests, auto detailers must also move and park the clients' vehicles or deliver them to a specific location.

What does a service porter do?

Typically working in car dealerships, a service porter is in charge of performing a variety of tasks to maintain smooth operations. They maintain vehicles in good condition by conducting regular maintenance checks and repairs, refilling gas tanks, inspecting tires and batteries, and cleaning the interior and exterior of cars. There are also instances where they perform clerical support tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documents, and monitoring the inventory. Moreover, a service porter may also assist potential buyers and keep them company during test drives.

Auto detailer vs service porter salary

Auto detailers and service porters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto DetailerService Porter
Average salary$28,746$28,469
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $35,000Between $22,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CityBellevue, WAKirkland, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyChemung ArcClean Harbors
Best paying industryRetailReal Estate

Differences between auto detailer and service porter education

There are a few differences between an auto detailer and a service porter in terms of educational background:

Auto DetailerService Porter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Auto detailer vs service porter demographics

Here are the differences between auto detailers' and service porters' demographics:

Auto DetailerService Porter
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 89.2% Female, 10.8%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between auto detailer and service porter duties and responsibilities

Auto detailer example responsibilities.

  • Provide professional automobile detailing services with a variety of cleaning techniques and products to ensure the desired level of superior cleanliness.
  • Maintain the dealership grounds by mowing, weed eating and maintaining mowing equipment.

Service porter example responsibilities.

  • Manage stock of the vehicles; document vehicle locations and individual VIN numbers.
  • Ensure customer satisfaction through efficient maintenance of service areas and improve cleanliness.
  • Wash and detail RV's as well as transport to sublet repair shops.
  • Maintain the proper inventory records of all vehicles and ensure that they match the correct RV.
  • Maintain cleanliness around service department and showroom.
  • Prepare cleaning solutions as necessary and follow safety procedures as prescribed by OSHA.
  • Show more

Auto detailer vs service porter skills

Common auto detailer skills
  • Shampoo Carpets, 37%
  • General Maintenance, 19%
  • Service Tools, 7%
  • Customer Vehicles, 6%
  • Engine Compartment, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common service porter skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Service Drive, 10%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • General Cleanup, 5%

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