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Automotive brake technician vs alignment technician

The differences between automotive brake technicians 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 brake technician and an alignment technician. Additionally, an automotive brake technician has an average salary of $38,687, which is higher than the $38,020 average annual salary of an alignment technician.

The top three skills for an automotive brake technician include diagnosis, brake inspections and lube. The most important skills for an alignment technician are customer service, hand tools, and power steering.

Automotive brake technician vs alignment technician overview

Automotive Brake TechnicianAlignment Technician
Yearly salary$38,687$38,020
Hourly rate$18.60$18.28
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs79,582143,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Automotive brake technician vs alignment technician salary

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

Automotive Brake TechnicianAlignment Technician
Average salary$38,687$38,020
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $55,000Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between automotive brake technician and alignment technician education

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

Automotive Brake TechnicianAlignment Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive brake technician vs alignment technician demographics

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

Automotive Brake TechnicianAlignment Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.5% Female, 3.5%Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 24.0% Asian, 4.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 brake technician and alignment technician duties and responsibilities

Automotive brake technician example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Implement PLC programming and troubleshooting procedures while also initiating and executing process improvements and conducting parts research when necessary.
  • general repairs LOF, batteries, alternators, water pump, timing belt, brakes, tires, belts hoses.

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 brake technician vs alignment technician skills

Common automotive brake technician skills
  • Diagnosis, 33%
  • Brake Inspections, 19%
  • Lube, 18%
  • Manufacturer Specifications, 15%
  • ASE, 8%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 2%
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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