Post job

What does an automobile mechanic do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
On this page

Automobile mechanic responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real automobile mechanic resumes:

  • Perform diagnosis and repairs of general problems
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Complete training at the manufacturing training facilities for Hyundai and Nissan receiving various levels of specialist certifications.

Automobile mechanic skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Automobile Mechanics are proficient in Automobile Repair, Brake Systems, and Engine Repair. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Automobile Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Automobile Repair, 11%

    Diagnose and troubleshoot automobile repairs.

  • Brake Systems, 8%

    Rewired, lights and instrument panel and abs brake system Re-lined and adjusted brakes and aligned front end.

  • Engine Repair, 7%

    Perform engine repairs, wheel alignments, tire & wheel changes, transmission repairs.

  • Oil Changes, 7%

    Serviced automobiles (tires, oil changes, brakes, belts, hoses, and air conditions)

  • Diagnosis, 5%

    Specialized in electronic and mechanical fuel injection systems and automatic transmission diagnosis and repair (foreign and domestic).

  • Blowers, 4%

    Replace carburetors, blowers, starters, and pumps.

Common skills that an automobile mechanic uses to do their job include "automobile repair," "brake systems," and "engine repair." You can find details on the most important automobile mechanic responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for an automobile mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "service technicians discuss automotive problems—along with options to fix them—with their customers." Additionally, an automobile mechanic resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "performed repairs and maintenance servicing performed difficult diagnoses assisted in customer relations"

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling automobile mechanic duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "service technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing vehicle systems, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments or other easy-to-miss causes." According to an automobile mechanic resume, here's how automobile mechanics can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "provide a detailed list of problems found with customer vehicles and hand in repair order to service writer. "

Dexterity. This is an important skill for automobile mechanics to perform their duties. For an example of how automobile mechanic responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand–eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an automobile mechanic: "installed timing belts, water pumps, and airlifters. ".

Mechanical skills. automobile mechanic responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example shows what automobile mechanics do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "performed electrical systems tests to locate problems and inconsistencies; performed routine and advanced mechanical and electrical repairs of gm vehicles. "

Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for an automobile mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what automobile mechanics relies on this skill, since "service technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability of parts." How this skill relates to automobile mechanic duties can be seen in an example from an automobile mechanic resume snippet: "performed organizational maintenance services on wheeled vehicles, trailers, generators, and pumping units. "

Physical strength. Another skill commonly found on automobile mechanic job descriptions is "physical strength." It can come up quite often in automobile mechanic duties, since "service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts such as engines and body panels." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day automobile mechanic responsibilities: "passed the osha regulations exam as well as physical fitness exam"

All automobile mechanic skills

The three companies that hire the most automobile mechanics are:

Choose from 10+ customizable automobile mechanic resume templates

Build a professional automobile mechanic resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your automobile mechanic resume.
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume
Automobile Mechanic Resume

Compare different automobile mechanics

Automobile mechanic vs. Master

A master is an individual who has the power and ability to make use, dispose of something, or take control. One can be a master of a certain language, skill, or anything he/she or she is an expert of. In terms of requirements, a master must be extremely knowledgeable in whichever area they choose to be an expert in. This may entail intense studying, research, and dedication.

If we compare the average automobile mechanic annual salary with that of a master, we find that masters typically earn a $29,363 higher salary than automobile mechanics make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an automobile mechanic are more likely to require skills like "automobile repair," "brake systems," "engine repair," and "oil changes." On the other hand, a job as a master requires skills like "hand tools," "social work," "customer service," and "ladders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that masters earn slightly differ from automobile mechanics. In particular, masters are 13.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an automobile mechanic. Additionally, they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Automobile mechanic vs. Transmission rebuilder

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.

Transmission rebuilder positions earn higher pay than automobile mechanic roles. They earn a $4,653 higher salary than automobile mechanics per year.A few skills overlap for automobile mechanics and transmission rebuilders. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "automobile repair," "engine repair," and "oil changes. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, automobile mechanic responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "brake systems," "diagnosis," "blowers," and "electrical systems." Meanwhile, a transmission rebuilder has duties that require skills in areas such as "r," "automotive repair shop," "air tools," and "parts list." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Transmission rebuilders tend to reach similar levels of education than automobile mechanics. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Automobile mechanic vs. Mechanical car checker

On average, mechanical car checkers earn higher salaries than automobile mechanics, with a $3,649 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on automobile mechanics and mechanical car checkers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "oil changes," "brake pads," and "electrical repairs.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an automobile mechanic is likely to be skilled in "automobile repair," "brake systems," "engine repair," and "diagnosis," while a typical mechanical car checker is skilled in "ansi," "aircraft maintenance," "airframe," and "r."

Mechanical car checkers typically earn similar educational levels compared to automobile mechanics. Specifically, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Automobile mechanic vs. Mechanic helper

Mechanic helpers tend to earn a lower pay than automobile mechanics by an average of $8,531 per year.While both automobile mechanics and mechanic helpers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like brake systems, engine repair, and oil changes, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An automobile mechanic uses "automobile repair," "diagnosis," "blowers," and "automotive vehicles." Mechanic helpers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "hand tools," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "safety equipment. "The professional industry tends to pay the highest salaries for mechanic helpers, with average annual pay of $36,229. Comparatively, the highest automobile mechanic annual salary comes from the automotive industry.In general, mechanic helpers hold similar degree levels compared to automobile mechanics. Mechanic helpers are 0.1% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of automobile mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs