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The differences between automotive mechanics and trailer mechanics 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 mechanic and a trailer mechanic. Additionally, an automotive mechanic has an average salary of $42,864, which is higher than the $42,569 average annual salary of a trailer mechanic.
The top three skills for an automotive mechanic include customer service, work ethic and hand tools. The most important skills for a trailer mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and work ethic.
| Automotive Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $42,864 | $42,569 |
| Hourly rate | $20.61 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 95,703 | 86,057 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An automotive mechanic is responsible for inspecting the vehicle's engine, identifying defects and inconsistencies, and repairing malfunctioning components through diagnostic tests. Automotive mechanics diagnose problems and inform the customers of troubleshooting procedures and provide cost estimates for maintenance. They may also offer additional services to boost the engine's optimal performance and efficiency, at the same time, to generate more revenues for the business. An automotive mechanic must have excellent knowledge of the automotive industry, especially in responding to the inquiries and concerns of the customers regarding their vehicles and schedule regular repairs as necessary.
A trailer mechanic specializes in providing repair services on large vehicles such as trailers, semi-trucks, and tractors. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, inspecting machinery and electrical systems, diagnosing issues, conducting fixes and replacements, and explaining the extent of damage or repairs to clients. There are also instances where they must devise testing strategies, ensuring compliance with the government's policies. Furthermore, a trailer mechanic must maintain regular maintenance checks on vehicles to ensure the safety of operators and the efficiency of workflow.
Automotive mechanics and trailer mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automotive Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $42,864 | $42,569 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $59,000 | Between $32,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Greeley, CO | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Eversource Energy | Dayton Freight |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an automotive mechanic and a trailer mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Automotive Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between automotive mechanics' and trailer mechanics' demographics:
| Automotive Mechanic | Trailer Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 98.0% Female, 2.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.5% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |