Post job

Junior mechanic vs shop manager

The differences between junior mechanics and shop managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a junior mechanic, becoming a shop manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a junior mechanic has an average salary of $39,809, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a shop manager.

The top three skills for a junior mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and OSHA. The most important skills for a shop manager are customer service, taking care, and work ethic.

Junior mechanic vs shop manager overview

Junior MechanicShop Manager
Yearly salary$39,809$36,580
Hourly rate$19.14$17.59
Growth rate4%-
Number of jobs44,92083,627
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4243
Years of experience26

Junior mechanic vs shop manager salary

Junior mechanics and shop managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Junior MechanicShop Manager
Average salary$39,809$36,580
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $25,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyWestRockRivian
Best paying industryConstructionRetail

Differences between junior mechanic and shop manager education

There are a few differences between a junior mechanic and a shop manager in terms of educational background:

Junior MechanicShop Manager
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyBusiness
Most common college-SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Junior mechanic vs shop manager demographics

Here are the differences between junior mechanics' and shop managers' demographics:

Junior MechanicShop Manager
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%9%

Differences between junior mechanic and shop manager duties and responsibilities

Junior mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
  • Assist technicians in the installation and repair HVAC system units, including electronic and mechanical components.
  • Measure, cut, thread and bond pipes and tubing to feeding water, gas or refrigerant to various HVAC equipment.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Shop manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage inventory and payment to suppliers in addition to managing payroll and other administrative tasks.
  • Manage the units respirator control program.
  • Manage gift registry for 48 stores consisting of 13,000 annual registries, $9.8MM in sales.
  • Manage inventory and work orders, train new employees, frequent QA inspections for shipping and receiving.
  • Conduct employee training that encompass all require OSHA and company safety guidelines to achieve a safe and productive work environment.
  • Manage data on POS system, mainly items being sell in the shop have to be written down and organize accordingly.
  • Show more

Junior mechanic vs shop manager skills

Common junior mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 20%
  • Electrical Systems, 11%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Light Fixtures, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
Common shop manager skills
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Taking Care, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Team Training, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Payroll, 3%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs