Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between auto mechanics and lead mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an auto mechanic, becoming a lead mechanic takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead mechanic has an average salary of $54,471, which is higher than the $41,683 average annual salary of an auto mechanic.
The top three skills for an auto mechanic include customer vehicles, customer service and diagnosis. The most important skills for a lead mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.
| Auto Mechanic | Lead Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $54,471 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 86,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 40 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An auto mechanic's role is to repair and maintain automotive vehicles, ensuring that they function efficiently and safely. They are primarily responsible for discussing issues with clients, inspecting vehicles to identify the root of problems, performing test drives, and conducting corrective measures. Sometimes this is done in collaboration with other mechanics to ensure accuracy and speed. They can also replace oil, brakes, and even other fluids. Moreover, an auto mechanic must inform the extent of repairs to clients, letting them know which parts need replacement or fixes.
A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.
Auto mechanics and lead mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $54,471 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a lead mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Lead Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and lead mechanics' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Lead Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |