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Body shop supervisor vs lead mechanic

The differences between body shop supervisors and lead mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a body shop supervisor and a lead mechanic. Additionally, a lead mechanic has an average salary of $54,471, which is higher than the $43,234 average annual salary of a body shop supervisor.

The top three skills for a body shop supervisor include lean manufacturing, customer vehicles and quality standards. The most important skills for a lead mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and HVAC.

Body shop supervisor vs lead mechanic overview

Body Shop SupervisorLead Mechanic
Yearly salary$43,234$54,471
Hourly rate$20.79$26.19
Growth rate3%4%
Number of jobs21,72186,668
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4949
Years of experience44

Body shop supervisor vs lead mechanic salary

Body shop supervisors and lead mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Body Shop SupervisorLead Mechanic
Average salary$43,234$54,471
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $63,000Between $40,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-California Resources
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between body shop supervisor and lead mechanic education

There are a few differences between a body shop supervisor and a lead mechanic in terms of educational background:

Body Shop SupervisorLead Mechanic
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Body shop supervisor vs lead mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between body shop supervisors' and lead mechanics' demographics:

Body Shop SupervisorLead Mechanic
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between body shop supervisor and lead mechanic duties and responsibilities

Body shop supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and operate custom restoration shop for existing bodyshop.
  • Strengthen the dealership reputation by providing expert technical explanations and resolving product disputes between customer, dealer, and manufacturer.
  • Have worked with everything from bondo and paint prep all the way to welding support pieces together.

Lead mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Manage the repairs of electrical and mechanical components, such as power assemblies and traction motors.
  • Manage routine maintenance and modifications for locomotives as well as preventative maintenance for freight cars.
  • Complete restoration of antique motorcycles, extensive engine repair, payroll, quarterly reports, parts sales and database inventory.
  • Assemble and repair motor scooters.
  • Perform conventional welding, MIG, TIG, OxyAcet.
  • Ensure quality repairs are made while meeting stringent FRA guidelines.
  • Show more

Body shop supervisor vs lead mechanic skills

Common body shop supervisor skills
  • Lean Manufacturing, 51%
  • Customer Vehicles, 41%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
Common lead mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Electrical Systems, 4%
  • Mechanical Equipment, 4%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 4%

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