Post job

Automotive refinish technician vs transmission technician

The differences between automotive refinish technicians and transmission technicians 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 a transmission technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a transmission technician has an average salary of $42,179, which is higher than the $40,513 average annual salary of an automotive refinish technician.

The top three skills for an automotive refinish technician include R, PPG and dealership procedures. The most important skills for a transmission technician are customer service, hand tools, and shop equipment.

Automotive refinish technician vs transmission technician overview

Automotive Refinish TechnicianTransmission Technician
Yearly salary$40,513$42,179
Hourly rate$19.48$20.28
Growth rate2%1%
Number of jobs66,11963,479
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Associate Degree, 33%
Average age4240
Years of experience42

Automotive refinish technician vs transmission technician salary

Automotive refinish technicians and transmission technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Refinish TechnicianTransmission Technician
Average salary$40,513$42,179
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $58,000Between $28,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between automotive refinish technician and transmission technician education

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

Automotive Refinish TechnicianTransmission Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Associate Degree, 33%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive refinish technician vs transmission technician demographics

Here are the differences between automotive refinish technicians' and transmission technicians' demographics:

Automotive Refinish TechnicianTransmission Technician
Average age4240
Gender ratioMale, 98.0% Female, 2.0%Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%2%

Differences between automotive refinish technician and transmission technician 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.

Transmission technician example responsibilities.

  • Tap and install high pressure taps.
  • Complete rebuild and dyno test each transmission.
  • Inspect machinery, troubleshoot issues, and document findings.
  • Perform clutch, manual transmissions and other driveline repairs.
  • Diagnose and repair various mechanical and electrical problems of Toyota passenger cars.
  • Coordinate the repair efforts or repair Ethernet equipment as well as DS1 and DS3.
  • Show more

Automotive refinish technician vs transmission technician skills

Common automotive refinish technician skills
  • R, 38%
  • PPG, 17%
  • Dealership Procedures, 15%
  • Painting Process, 15%
  • Coats, 15%
Common transmission technician skills
  • Customer Service, 36%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Shop Equipment, 9%
  • Chrysler, 8%
  • Diagnosis, 8%
  • ASE, 7%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs