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Automobile technician vs instrument technician apprentice

The differences between automobile technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an automobile technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an instrument technician apprentice has an average salary of $39,849, which is higher than the $39,815 average annual salary of an automobile technician.

The top three skills for an automobile technician include oil changes, preventive maintenance and engine tune-ups. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.

Automobile technician vs instrument technician apprentice overview

Automobile TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Yearly salary$39,815$39,849
Hourly rate$19.14$19.16
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs75,140130,235
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 28%
Average age4050
Years of experience212

Automobile technician vs instrument technician apprentice salary

Automobile technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automobile TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Average salary$39,815$39,849
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $59,000Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Hayward, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Accenture
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between automobile technician and instrument technician apprentice education

There are a few differences between an automobile technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:

Automobile TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 28%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automobile technician vs instrument technician apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between automobile technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:

Automobile TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Average age4050
Gender ratioMale, 97.8% Female, 2.2%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage2%8%

Differences between automobile technician and instrument technician apprentice duties and responsibilities

Automobile technician example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Position: ASE certify automobile technician.
  • Service Toyota, domestic imports to rental trucks, preventative maintenance
  • Earn certifications through manufacturer and ASE classes/testing.
  • Perform extensive diagnosis and repair of automotive electrical systems.
  • Specialize in electronic and mechanical fuel injection systems and automatic transmission diagnosis and repair (foreign and domestic).
  • Show more

Instrument technician apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the shop.
  • Train, working under ASE certification standards.
  • Wire low volt and high volt generators for caterpillar.
  • Unload vehicles by driving and by the use of cranes.
  • Install HD brand and aftermarket, chrome and billet, parts and accessories.
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Automobile technician vs instrument technician apprentice skills

Common automobile technician skills
  • Oil Changes, 15%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 9%
  • Engine Tune-Ups, 8%
  • Diagnosis, 6%
  • Shop Equipment, 5%
  • Automotive Repair, 5%
Common instrument technician apprentice skills
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 8%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Customer Vehicles, 6%

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