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The differences between automotive technicians and truck 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 technician and a truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic has an average salary of $50,169, 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 truck mechanic are CDL, customer service, and electrical systems.
| Automotive Technician | Truck Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $40,910 | $50,169 |
| Hourly rate | $19.67 | $24.12 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 142,840 | 80,942 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Also known as diesel services technicians, truck mechanics perform various heavy-duty truck tasks. The technicians work on large vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses. It is their duty to inspect, make diagnoses, and repair the brake systems and other electrical components. They conduct routine maintenance work, which aims for longevity and functionality. It is also important for them to have skills in communication, organization, computer system, and administrative tasks.
Automotive technicians and truck mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automotive Technician | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $40,910 | $50,169 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Orange County Sheriff's Office | Allan A. Myers |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an automotive technician and a truck mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Automotive Technician | Truck Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between automotive technicians' and truck mechanics' demographics:
| Automotive Technician | Truck Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |