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The differences between diesel technicians 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 diesel technician and an automotive technician. Additionally, a diesel technician has an average salary of $46,868, which is higher than the $40,910 average annual salary of an automotive technician.
The top three skills for a diesel technician include CDL, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an automotive technician are work ethic, computer system, and customer service.
| Diesel Technician | Automotive Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $46,868 | $40,910 |
| Hourly rate | $22.53 | $19.67 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 128,944 | 142,840 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.
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.
Diesel technicians and automotive technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Technician | Automotive Technician | |
| Average salary | $46,868 | $40,910 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $65,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cummins | Orange County Sheriff's Office |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a diesel technician and an automotive technician in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Technician | Automotive Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between diesel technicians' and automotive technicians' demographics:
| Diesel Technician | Automotive Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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% |