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.

Automotive Mechanic Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real automotive mechanic resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Panel building, PLC programming, AC/DC drives, air compressors.
  • Read and interpret engineering prints and diagrams, knowledge of PLC.
  • Supervise all aspects of plumbing installation, also work in the field as a trainer.
  • Perform repairs of all types on all makes and models of passenger vehicles as well as pursued ASE certification.
  • Operate wide variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, cranes drills press, and forklift.
  • Master ASE certify automotive mechanic.
  • Inspect and repair Chrysler vehicles to original equipment manufacturer specification for resale.
  • Hand on experience of adequately explaining technical diagnosis and need repairs to non-mechanical individuals.
  • Explain technical diagnosis and need repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include other teammates and customers as required.
  • Work for general and sub-contractors installing, maintaining troubleshooting and repairing electrical and plumbing components fixtures and systems.
  • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.
  • Maintain and repair all helicopters to ensure that all safety specifications and requirements are met according to FAA regulations.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Operate an 80 ton overhead crane to precisely marry the turret to the hull of the Abrams vehicle.

Automotive Mechanic Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 17% of Automotive Mechanics are proficient in Customer Service, Work Ethic, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Automotive Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 17%

    Contributed to repeat business through commitment to top quality workmanship, maximizing accuracy and excellent customer service.

  • Work Ethic, 9%

    showed good work ethics and work hard no matter the task.

  • Hand Tools, 8%

    Performed tune-up type adjustments and used common hand tools and a variety of automotive test equipment, both electronic and mechanical.

  • Customer Vehicles, 7%

    Completed system diagnosis* Maintained mechanical service tools on a scheduled basis* Repaired and completed service on customer vehicles

  • Mechanical Problems, 5%

    Utilized diagnostics test equipment to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical problems.

  • Diagnosis, 5%

    Explain technical diagnosis and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include other teammates and customers as required.

"customer service," "work ethic," and "hand tools" aren't the only skills we found automotive mechanics list on their resumes. In fact, there's a whole list of automotive mechanic responsibilities that we found, including:

  • The most important skills for an automotive mechanic to have in this position are customer-service skills. In this excerpt that we gathered from a automotive mechanic resume, you'll understand why: "service technicians discuss automotive problems—along with options to fix them—with their customers" According to resumes we found, customer-service skills can be used by a automotive mechanic in order to "repaired and performed preventive maintenance, minor and major repairs on customers' automobiles within allotted timeline while ensuring quality. "
  • Another trait important for fulfilling automotive mechanic duties is detail oriented. According to a automotive mechanic resume, "service technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing vehicle systems, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments or other easy-to-miss causes." Here's an example of how automotive mechanics are able to utilize detail oriented: "performed general and detailed preventive maintenance on manual and automatic transmissions, all mechanical systems and components. "
  • Another skill that is quite popular among automotive mechanics is dexterity. This skill is very critical to fulfilling every day responsibilities as is shown in this example from a automotive mechanic resume: "service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand–eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "used hand tools, precision instruments, power tools, welding equipment, jacks, and lifts. "
  • A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "mechanical skills" is important to completing automotive mechanic responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way automotive mechanics use this skill: "service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other" Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical automotive mechanic tasks: "received certifications for multiple automotive systems, including steering and suspension, engine mechanical, electrical, and brakes. "
  • As part of the automotive mechanic description, you might find that one of the skills that might be helpful to the job is "organizational skills." A automotive mechanic resume included this snippet: "service technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability of parts." This skill could be useful in this scenario: "performed organizational and intermediate level maintenance on test equipment, launching/firing systems, and stowage facilities associated with under ordnance. "
  • Another skill commonly found on automotive mechanic resumes is "physical strength." This description of the skill was found on several automotive mechanic resumes: "service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts such as engines and body panels." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill could fit into the day-to-day automotive mechanic responsibilities: "strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills to efficiently troubleshoot performance issues. "
  • See the full list of automotive mechanic skills.

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    What Mechanic Helpers Do

    The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.

    We looked at the average automotive mechanic annual salary and compared it with the average of a mechanic helper. Generally speaking, mechanic helpers receive $10,972 lower pay than automotive mechanics per year.

    Even though automotive mechanics and mechanic helpers have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require work ethic, hand tools, and mechanical problems in the day-to-day roles.

    There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, an automotive mechanic responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "customer vehicles," "diagnosis," and "ase." Meanwhile a typical mechanic helper has skills in areas such as "strong work ethic," "safety equipment," "safety procedures," and "mechanical equipment." This difference in skills reveals how truly different these two careers really are.

    Mechanic helpers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $36,229. Whereas automotive mechanics tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $51,398.

    On average, mechanic helpers reach similar levels of education than automotive mechanics. Mechanic helpers are 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What Are The Duties Of a Shop Technician?

    Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in. Usually, Shop Technicians work with machines in the shop. They conduct repair and maintenance work for machines that have long been in the shop. They are also in charge of installing and building new machines as well. Shop Technicians are assigned to manage records of such machines or s other mechanical items in the store. This is part of the administrative activities they may do for the shop.

    Now we're going to look at the shop technician profession. On average, shop technicians earn a $6,066 lower salary than automotive mechanics a year.

    Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Automotive mechanics and shop technicians both include similar skills like "customer service," "work ethic," and "hand tools" on their resumes.

    But both careers also use different skills, according to real automotive mechanic resumes. While automotive mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "ase," "diagnostic equipment," "mechanical repairs," and "automotive repair," some shop technicians use skills like "preventative maintenance," "cranes," "electrical systems," and "dot."

    It's been discovered that shop technicians earn lower salaries compared to automotive mechanics, but we wanted to find out where shop technicians earned the most pay. The answer? The energy industry. The average salary in the industry is $45,857. Additionally, automotive mechanics earn the highest paychecks in the manufacturing with an average salary of $51,398.

    In general, shop technicians study at similar levels of education than automotive mechanics. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    How a Mobile Equipment Mechanic Compares

    Mobile equipment mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for conducting repairs and maintenance of construction and surface mining equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. These mechanics must inspect machines and heavy equipment while evaluating operating manuals to perform diagnosis and resolve any defects. They are required to use hand and power tools to perform repairs on the defective equipment parts. Mobile equipment mechanics must also check any open circuits on the electrical systems of heavy equipment.

    The third profession we take a look at is mobile equipment mechanic. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than automotive mechanics. In fact, they make a $29,326 higher salary per year.

    By looking over several automotive mechanics and mobile equipment mechanics resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "hand tools," "mechanical problems," and "oil changes." But beyond that the careers look very different.

    There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. As an example of this, an automotive mechanic is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "work ethic," "customer vehicles," and "diagnosis," while a typical mobile equipment mechanic is skilled in "cranes," "electrical systems," "loaders," and "mechanical systems."

    Mobile equipment mechanics make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $84,306. Whereas automotive mechanics are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry with the average being $51,398.

    When it comes to education, mobile equipment mechanics tend to earn similar education levels than automotive mechanics. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of a Diesel Technician

    Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.

    The fourth career we look at typically earns higher pay than automotive mechanics. On average, diesel technicians earn a difference of $4,004 higher per year.

    While both automotive mechanics and diesel technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, work ethic, and hand tools, the two careers also vary in other skills.

    Even though a few skill sets overlap, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an automotive mechanic might have more use for skills like "customer vehicles," "customer satisfaction," "diagnostic equipment," and "mechanical repairs." Meanwhile, some diesel technicians might include skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "dot," and "electrical systems" on their resume.

    Diesel technicians earn a higher salary in the utilities industry with an average of $49,875. Whereas, automotive mechanics earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.

    In general, diesel technicians reach similar levels of education when compared to automotive mechanics resumes. Diesel technicians are 0.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.