Mechanic helper vs mechanic

The differences between mechanic helpers and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a mechanic helper and a mechanic. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $31,892 average annual salary of a mechanic helper.

The top three skills for a mechanic helper include hand tools, work ethic and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Mechanic helper vs mechanic overview

	Mechanic Helper	Mechanic
Yearly salary	$31,892	$47,149
Hourly rate	$15.33	$22.67
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,546	100,534
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a mechanic helper do?

The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.

What does a mechanic do?

Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.

Mechanic helper vs mechanic salary

Mechanic helpers and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanic Helper	Mechanic
Average salary	$31,892	$47,149
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Sacramento, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Connecticut
Best paying company	Sierra Pacific Industries	Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry	Professional	Manufacturing

Differences between mechanic helper and mechanic education

There are a few differences between a mechanic helper and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Mechanic Helper	Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Mechanic helper vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between mechanic helpers' and mechanics' demographics:

	Mechanic Helper	Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between mechanic helper and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Mechanic helper example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
Change motors, diagnose problems and clean air conditioner units and maintain HVAC equipment.
Install or replace HVAC machinery, equipment and parts and using power tools or by hand.
Operate hoists, and pulleys when removing units such as large compressors, condensers and chillers.
Used specialty tools such as fixtures, engine hoists, jacks, brake caliper tools, pulley pullers and torque wrenches.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Mechanic example responsibilities.

Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.

Mechanic helper vs mechanic skills

Common mechanic helper skills

Hand Tools, 24%
Work Ethic, 11%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Oil Changes, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

Common mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 7%
Diagnosis, 6%
Electrical Systems, 5%

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Mechanic Helper vs Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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