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Automotive accessory installer vs alignment technician

The differences between automotive accessory installers and alignment technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an automotive accessory installer and an alignment technician. Additionally, an alignment technician has an average salary of $38,020, which is higher than the $33,261 average annual salary of an automotive accessory installer.

The top three skills for an automotive accessory installer include customer vehicles, GPS and alarm systems. The most important skills for an alignment technician are customer service, hand tools, and power steering.

Automotive accessory installer vs alignment technician overview

Automotive Accessory InstallerAlignment Technician
Yearly salary$33,261$38,020
Hourly rate$15.99$18.28
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs48,085143,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Automotive accessory installer vs alignment technician salary

Automotive accessory installers and alignment technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Accessory InstallerAlignment Technician
Average salary$33,261$38,020
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $45,000Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between automotive accessory installer and alignment technician education

There are a few differences between an automotive accessory installer and an alignment technician in terms of educational background:

Automotive Accessory InstallerAlignment Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive accessory installer vs alignment technician demographics

Here are the differences between automotive accessory installers' and alignment technicians' demographics:

Automotive Accessory InstallerAlignment Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.2% Female, 5.8%Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.1% Asian, 4.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 5.8% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive accessory installer and alignment technician duties and responsibilities

Automotive accessory installer example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.
  • Install all types of car audio/video/security/accessory equipment to MECP standards.

Alignment technician example responsibilities.

  • Repair wheels using grinders, sanders and paint equipment.
  • Straighten bend or damage alloy wheels.
  • Assist with MIG welding and exhaust work.
  • Perform all general lube and oil filter changes.
  • Used a grinder and DA sanders to remove damage from rims.
  • Clean and resize bearing fillet and dust guard seat using various grinders.
  • Show more

Automotive accessory installer vs alignment technician skills

Common automotive accessory installer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 77%
  • GPS, 8%
  • Alarm Systems, 6%
  • Automotive Accessories, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
Common alignment technician skills
  • Customer Service, 39%
  • Hand Tools, 34%
  • Power Steering, 10%
  • Customer Vehicles, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • Diagnosis, 1%

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