Mechanic vs auto body detailer

The differences between mechanics and auto body detailers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $27,378 average annual salary of an auto body detailer.

The top three skills for a mechanic include hand tools, preventive maintenance and customer service. The most important skills for an auto body detailer are customer vehicles, vacuums, and loose dirt.

Mechanic vs auto body detailer overview

	Mechanic	Auto Body Detailer
Yearly salary	$47,149	$27,378
Hourly rate	$22.67	$13.16
Growth rate	4%	3%
Number of jobs	100,534	13,170
Job satisfaction	4.25	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 62%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	2	-

Mechanic vs auto body detailer salary

Mechanics and auto body detailers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanic	Auto Body Detailer
Average salary	$47,149	$27,378
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $63,000	Between $21,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	Anheuser-Busch	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between mechanic and auto body detailer education

There are a few differences between a mechanic and an auto body detailer in terms of educational background:

	Mechanic	Auto Body Detailer
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 62%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Mechanic vs auto body detailer demographics

Here are the differences between mechanics' and auto body detailers' demographics:

	Mechanic	Auto Body Detailer
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 1.7% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between mechanic and auto body detailer duties and responsibilities

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.

Auto body detailer example responsibilities.

Attain ICAR and ASE master technician status.
Include mixing and measuring of various chemicals, also sanding, and sandblasting, bondo work, and dent repair.
Straighten, repair, and replace automotive body parts and frames; including metal straightening, bondo work, and welding.
Provide professional automobile detailing services with a variety of cleaning techniques and products to ensure the desired level of superior cleanliness.
Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.

Mechanic vs auto body detailer skills

Common mechanic skills

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

Common auto body detailer skills

Customer Vehicles, 59%
Vacuums, 28%
Loose Dirt, 7%
Auto Body Repair, 6%

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Mechanic vs Auto Body Detailer

Updated January 8, 2025

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