Post job

Junior mechanic vs shop technician

The differences between junior mechanics and shop 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 junior mechanic and a shop technician. Additionally, a junior mechanic has an average salary of $39,809, which is higher than the $36,798 average annual salary of a shop technician.

The top three skills for a junior mechanic include hand tools, electrical systems and OSHA. The most important skills for a shop technician are preventative maintenance, routine maintenance, and diagnosis.

Junior mechanic vs shop technician overview

Junior MechanicShop Technician
Yearly salary$39,809$36,798
Hourly rate$19.14$17.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs44,920150,349
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Junior mechanic vs shop technician salary

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

Junior MechanicShop Technician
Average salary$39,809$36,798
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $25,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASan Leandro, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyWestRockLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between junior mechanic and shop technician education

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

Junior MechanicShop Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Junior mechanic vs shop technician demographics

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

Junior MechanicShop Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between junior mechanic and shop technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with a recording POS sheets to be transfer to companies expenses.
  • Maintain cleanliness of shop to promote organization which contribute to safety for other employees.
  • Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the fabrication lab by sweeping, cleaning machinery and arranging scrap materials.
  • Assist management with inventory, receiving, POS, window and screen repairs and to assemble power equipment.
  • Shop technician and foreman responsible for timely repair and diagnosis of medium to large heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment.
  • Diagnose, adjust, repair, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, and conveyors used in shop.
  • Show more

Junior mechanic vs shop technician skills

Common junior mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 20%
  • Electrical Systems, 11%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Light Fixtures, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
Common shop technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Cranes, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs