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The differences between car mechanics and automotive technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a car mechanic and an automotive technician. Additionally, an automotive technician has an average salary of $40,910, which is higher than the $37,369 average annual salary of a car mechanic.
The top three skills for a car mechanic include diagnostic tools, ASE and engine repair. The most important skills for an automotive technician are work ethic, computer system, and customer service.
| Car Mechanic | Automotive Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,369 | $40,910 |
| Hourly rate | $17.97 | $19.67 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 89,782 | 142,840 |
| Job satisfaction | 2 | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Car mechanics and automotive technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Car Mechanic | Automotive Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,369 | $40,910 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $49,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Orange County Sheriff's Office |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a car mechanic and an automotive technician in terms of educational background:
| Car Mechanic | Automotive Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between car mechanics' and automotive technicians' demographics:
| Car Mechanic | Automotive Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |