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Automotive service technician vs tire technician

The differences between automotive service technicians and tire technicians 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 service technician, becoming a tire technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an automotive service technician has an average salary of $43,077, which is higher than the $38,376 average annual salary of a tire technician.

The top three skills for an automotive service technician include customer service, hand tools and dexterity. The most important skills for a tire technician are customer service, commercial vehicles, and customer satisfaction.

Automotive service technician vs tire technician overview

Automotive Service TechnicianTire Technician
Yearly salary$43,077$38,376
Hourly rate$20.71$18.45
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs177,784110,586
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4036
Years of experience212

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 tire technician do?

Tire technicians typically work in car dealerships and automotive repair shops to inspect, replace, install and repair tires on trucks, cars, and other vehicles. They tend to work alongside the mechanics with a focus on ensuring that tires are reliable, safe, and work with other car systems. To be qualified in this position, you should be very attentive to detail as you typically will examine for signs of tire failure and wear. Tire technicians are also responsible for giving recommendations to customers about tire care and replacement.

Automotive service technician vs tire technician salary

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTire Technician
Average salary$43,077$38,376
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $74,000Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityAlexandria, VAWashington, NJ
Highest paying stateMarylandNew Jersey
Best paying companyCypressState Street
Best paying industryHealth CareRetail

Differences between automotive service technician and tire technician education

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTire Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive service technician vs tire technician demographics

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

Automotive Service TechnicianTire Technician
Average age4036
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
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, 8.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%4%

Differences between automotive service technician and tire 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

Tire technician example responsibilities.

  • Oil changes; alignments; vehicle diagnosis; tires
  • Input members personal information using AS400.
  • Receive numerous employee appreciation notices while employ at Costco.
  • Operate the production equipment as needed to troubleshoot and repair.
  • Install and repair tires for vehicles purchase from Sam's club.
  • Represent Costco at business to business and on site marketing blitzes.
  • Show more

Automotive service technician vs tire technician skills

Common automotive service technician skills
  • Customer Service, 30%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Dexterity, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • ASE, 5%
  • Automotive Repair, 4%
Common tire technician skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Commercial Vehicles, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 11%
  • Safety Standards, 9%
  • Battery, 8%
  • Customer Vehicles, 7%

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