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Automotive service technician vs certified technician

The differences between automotive service technicians and certified technicians 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 service technician and a certified technician. Additionally, a certified technician has an average salary of $52,208, which is higher than the $43,077 average annual salary of an automotive service technician.

The top three skills for an automotive service technician include customer service, hand tools and dexterity. The most important skills for a certified technician are A+, patients, and patient care.

Automotive service technician vs certified technician overview

Automotive Service TechnicianCertified Technician
Yearly salary$43,077$52,208
Hourly rate$20.71$25.10
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs177,784140,083
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does an automotive service technician do?

Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment. They do test parts and systems to guarantee that they work properly and follow checklists to ensure that every critical part is examined. Performing basic care and maintenance is also part of their main tasks, including changing oil, rotating tires, and checking fluid levels.

What does a certified technician do?

Certified technicians are technical professionals who perform technical tasks in the fields of applied science or engineering technology. These technicians are required to demonstrate their customer service skills and problem-solving abilities by resolving issues of customers immediately and efficiently. They must follow the dealership standards when performing work specified to maintenance and repair orders. They are required to work directly with customers to maximize equitable profitability for both the organization and their customers. Certified technicians must also possess detailed knowledge and experience in automobile mechanical works.

Automotive service technician vs certified technician salary

Automotive service technicians and certified technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Service TechnicianCertified Technician
Average salary$43,077$52,208
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $74,000Between $32,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityAlexandria, VASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyCypressConnor Group
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between automotive service technician and certified technician education

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

Automotive Service TechnicianCertified Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive service technician vs certified technician demographics

Here are the differences between automotive service technicians' and certified technicians' demographics:

Automotive Service TechnicianCertified Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive service technician and certified technician duties and responsibilities

Automotive service technician example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Perform basic care and maintenance including oil changes, lube and tune ups.
  • Start immediately after college as a lube technician doing oil changes, tires, and light duty repairs.
  • Experience with ADP write up programming.
  • Inspect, repair, and maintain Toyota vehicles.
  • Perform general service and repairs on Chevrolet and Chrysler vehicles.
  • Show more

Certified technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead and architect MDM migration from Sybase Afaria to Airwatch.
  • Manage a crew of 5 service technicians, providing repair and maintenance services for all HVAC.
  • Attain and maintain advanced level ASE certification.
  • Manage daily repair activities for high-volume Honda repair facility.
  • Oil changes top and bottom side transmission services ac services engine flush and license inspector.
  • Utilize several trade skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, roofing and heating and cooling systems.
  • Show more

Automotive service technician vs certified technician skills

Common automotive service technician skills
  • Customer Service, 30%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Dexterity, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • ASE, 5%
  • Automotive Repair, 4%
Common certified technician skills
  • A+, 45%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Customer Service, 2%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 2%

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