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The differences between automotive service technicians and mechanics 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 mechanic. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, 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 mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Automotive Service Technician | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $43,077 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $20.71 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 177,784 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automotive Service Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $43,077 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $74,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Alexandria, VA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Cypress | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an automotive service technician and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Automotive Service Technician | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between automotive service technicians' and mechanics' demographics:
| Automotive Service Technician | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |