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The differences between automotive repair technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an automotive repair technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an automotive repair technician has an average salary of $43,699, which is higher than the $39,849 average annual salary of an instrument technician apprentice.
The top three skills for an automotive repair technician include diagnosis, professional work and hand tools. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.
| Automotive Repair Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $43,699 | $39,849 |
| Hourly rate | $21.01 | $19.16 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 160,366 | 130,235 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An automotive repair technician specializes in repairing and maintaining automotive equipment and systems. Part of their job requires them to communicate with clients to identify their needs, inspect the vehicles, conduct diagnostic and emission tests, troubleshoot problems, and replace or fix components as necessary. They also provide clients with cost estimates, discuss the extent of damages and needed repairs, and recommend other options or services. Moreover, as an automotive repair technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth workflow.
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
Automotive repair technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automotive Repair Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $43,699 | $39,849 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $63,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairfield, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an automotive repair technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Automotive Repair Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between automotive repair technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:
| Automotive Repair Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 8% |