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Automotive refinish technician vs instrument technician apprentice

The differences between automotive refinish technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an automotive refinish technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an automotive refinish technician has an average salary of $40,513, which is higher than the $39,849 average annual salary of an instrument technician apprentice.

The top three skills for an automotive refinish technician include R, PPG and dealership procedures. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.

Automotive refinish technician vs instrument technician apprentice overview

Automotive Refinish TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Yearly salary$40,513$39,849
Hourly rate$19.48$19.16
Growth rate2%-
Number of jobs66,119130,235
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 28%
Average age4250
Years of experience412

Automotive refinish technician vs instrument technician apprentice salary

Automotive refinish technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Refinish TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Average salary$40,513$39,849
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $58,000Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Hayward, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Accenture
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between automotive refinish technician and instrument technician apprentice education

There are a few differences between an automotive refinish technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:

Automotive Refinish TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 28%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive refinish technician vs instrument technician apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between automotive refinish technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:

Automotive Refinish TechnicianInstrument Technician Apprentice
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 98.0% Female, 2.0%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage4%8%

Differences between automotive refinish technician and instrument technician apprentice duties and responsibilities

Automotive refinish 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.
  • Disassemble components and repair or replace damage parts of engine, transmission, a/c and various other assemblies.

Instrument technician apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the shop.
  • Train, working under ASE certification standards.
  • Wire low volt and high volt generators for caterpillar.
  • Unload vehicles by driving and by the use of cranes.
  • Install HD brand and aftermarket, chrome and billet, parts and accessories.
  • Show more

Automotive refinish technician vs instrument technician apprentice skills

Common automotive refinish technician skills
  • R, 38%
  • PPG, 17%
  • Dealership Procedures, 15%
  • Painting Process, 15%
  • Coats, 15%
Common instrument technician apprentice skills
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 8%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Customer Vehicles, 6%

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