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Automotive accessory installer vs technician

The differences between automotive accessory installers and 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 a technician. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, 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 a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Automotive accessory installer vs technician overview

Automotive Accessory InstallerTechnician
Yearly salary$33,261$38,045
Hourly rate$15.99$18.29
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs48,085596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Automotive accessory installer vs technician salary

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerTechnician
Average salary$33,261$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $45,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between automotive accessory installer and technician education

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerTechnician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Automotive accessory installer vs technician demographics

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

Automotive Accessory InstallerTechnician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.2% Female, 5.8%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive accessory installer and 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.

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Automotive accessory installer vs technician skills

Common automotive accessory installer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 77%
  • GPS, 8%
  • Alarm Systems, 6%
  • Automotive Accessories, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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