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Automotive accessory installer vs automotive repair technician

The differences between automotive accessory installers and automotive repair 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 automotive repair technician. Additionally, an automotive repair technician has an average salary of $43,699, 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 automotive repair technician are diagnosis, professional work, and hand tools.

Automotive accessory installer vs automotive repair technician overview

Automotive Accessory InstallerAutomotive Repair Technician
Yearly salary$33,261$43,699
Hourly rate$15.99$21.01
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs48,085160,366
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Automotive accessory installer vs automotive repair technician salary

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerAutomotive Repair Technician
Average salary$33,261$43,699
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $45,000Between $29,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-Fairfield, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between automotive accessory installer and automotive repair technician education

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerAutomotive Repair Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive accessory installer vs automotive repair technician demographics

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerAutomotive Repair Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.2% Female, 5.8%Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive accessory installer and automotive repair 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.

Automotive repair technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer accounts from initial diagnosis and estimate to final invoicing.
  • Acquire ASE certification in brakes as well.
  • Monitor and analyze laser performance with respect to power, beam quality and atmospheric sodium return and communicates laser.
  • Download required software for programming and diagnostics to load on correct PC.
  • Diagnose, upgrade and repair PC and Macintosh computers, printers and laptops.
  • Communicate with users to remotely resolve windows software problems.
  • Show more

Automotive accessory installer vs automotive repair technician skills

Common automotive accessory installer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 77%
  • GPS, 8%
  • Alarm Systems, 6%
  • Automotive Accessories, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
Common automotive repair technician skills
  • Diagnosis, 18%
  • Professional Work, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • ABS, 7%
  • ASE, 6%

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