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The differences between automotive technicians and mechanical engineers 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 technician, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, which is higher than the $40,910 average annual salary of an automotive technician.
The top three skills for an automotive technician include work ethic, computer system and customer service. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Automotive Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,910 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $19.67 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 142,840 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An automotive technician is responsible for maintaining the condition of automotive equipment. The duties of an automotive technician include repairing defective automotive components and inspecting and ensuring the auto's performance, stability, and safety. A tech is also responsible for upgrading the electrical systems to boost efficiency, conducting oil changes and tire checks, and installing batteries. An automotive technician also runs quality checks and improves system designs based on clients' specifications. An automotive technician must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry and automotive systems to assist clients with their inquiries and concerns.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Automotive technicians and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automotive Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $40,910 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Orange County Sheriff's Office | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an automotive technician and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automotive Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between automotive technicians' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Automotive Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 5% |