Post job

Automotive service technician vs technician

The differences between automotive service technicians and 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 technician. Additionally, an automotive service technician has an average salary of $43,077, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

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

Automotive service technician vs technician overview

Automotive Service TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$43,077$38,045
Hourly rate$20.71$18.29
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs177,784596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
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 technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Automotive service technician vs technician salary

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$43,077$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $74,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityAlexandria, VASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandHawaii
Best paying companyCypressMicrosoft
Best paying industryHealth CareTelecommunication

Differences between automotive service technician and technician education

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Automotive service technician vs technician demographics

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTechnician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive service technician and 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

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Automotive service technician vs technician skills

Common automotive service technician skills
  • Customer Service, 30%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Dexterity, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • ASE, 5%
  • Automotive Repair, 4%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs