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Automotive service writer vs customer service associate

The differences between automotive service writers and customer service associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an automotive service writer and a customer service associate. Additionally, an automotive service writer has an average salary of $46,879, which is higher than the $31,709 average annual salary of a customer service associate.

The top three skills for an automotive service writer include repair orders, service appointments and phone calls. The most important skills for a customer service associate are patients, sales floor, and plumbing.

Automotive service writer vs customer service associate overview

Automotive Service WriterCustomer Service Associate
Yearly salary$46,879$31,709
Hourly rate$22.54$15.24
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs148,068380,943
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does an automotive service writer do?

Automotive Service Writers act as a contact person between the customer and an automotive company. This person does estimations for clients and also help in drafting contracts. An Automotive Service Writer handles written orders for repairs. They receive and record request from clients and store it in a safe place. They are an essential part of the marketing department as it focuses on customer retention through constant, casual communication.

What does a customer service associate do?

Customer service associates are representatives of the company who are responsible for solving customer concerns. They provide exceptional service to clients to ensure that their problems are solved and that the relationship between the client and the company remains strong. Customer service associates are in-charge of processing transactions, maintaining a good working relationship between the client and the company, ensuring that the client remains loyal to the company, and working on the requests of the client. Through all of this, customer service associates must keep any information they may encounter confidential. They should also have time management skills, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills.

Automotive service writer vs customer service associate salary

Automotive service writers and customer service associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Service WriterCustomer Service Associate
Average salary$46,879$31,709
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $72,000Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyState StreetFidelity Investments
Best paying industryAutomotiveFinance

Differences between automotive service writer and customer service associate education

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

Automotive Service WriterCustomer Service Associate
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Automotive service writer vs customer service associate demographics

Here are the differences between automotive service writers' and customer service associates' demographics:

Automotive Service WriterCustomer Service Associate
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between automotive service writer and customer service associate duties and responsibilities

Automotive service writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the refurbishment of used vehicles, writing repair orders.
  • Recommend required service and repairs, educate customers on basic maintenance requirements for their Toyota product.
  • Provide excellent customer service to assist customers troubleshoot IOS devices for hardware and software issues.

Customer service associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage and calculate daily cash deposits and prepare daily payroll ledgers.
  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Use excellent phone and customer service etiquette while navigating through multiple windows simultaneously.
  • Provide excellent customer service to hundreds of satisfy customers, bag groceries with speed and efficiency
  • Perform upselling on every call.
  • Train in flight emergencies, hazardous materials and CPR.
  • Show more

Automotive service writer vs customer service associate skills

Common automotive service writer skills
  • Repair Orders, 11%
  • Service Appointments, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • ADP, 5%
  • Automotive Services, 4%
Common customer service associate skills
  • Patients, 41%
  • Sales Floor, 12%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Quality Customer Service, 6%
  • Front End, 3%
  • CSA, 3%

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