What does a mechanic's assistant do?
A mechanics assistant job involves assisting mechanics in operating, repairing, and refurbishing vehicles. Primarily, mechanics assistants work on the installation, repair, and replacement of an automobile's mechanical parts. They need to be knowledgeable of the processes and composition of automobiles. Also, they execute the opening and closing tasks in stores. The skillset for this position includes a strong work ethic, diagnostic skills, problem-solving, prior experience, customer service skills, and resourcefulness.
Mechanic's assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mechanic's assistant resumes:
- Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures and invoices
- Remove defective parts by dismantling devices; using hoists, cranes, and hand and power tools.
- Light duty power equipment, chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, etc.
- Work extensively with HVAC in automotive capacity.
- Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
- Pick up and deliver a/c units, parts and materials to jobsite.
- Perform oil changes, brake pad/rotor changes, tire changes/rotations, battery replacement, various other vehicle repairs, shop cleaning
- Preform maintaince on grain dryers, elevators, bin sweepers, intake augers.
- Recommend other services for vehicle's dependability.
Mechanic's assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Mechanic's Assistants are proficient in Preventative Maintenance, Hand Tools, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Mechanical skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Mechanic's Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Preventative Maintenance, 12%
Worked with lead mechanic to complete preventative maintenance and emergency maintenance on all equipment for a commercial demolition company.
- Hand Tools, 10%
Assisted remove and disassemble unit components from engines and differentials to be repaired, using hand tools and power tools.
- OSHA, 8%
Completed 2 years of elevator construction and OSHA training.
- Safety Equipment, 6%
Check belts, hoses and other safety equipment.
- Oil Changes, 6%
Performed routine maintenance on customer vehicles including; oil changes, brakes, tires, alignments, suspension and exhaust work.
- Routine Maintenance, 5%
Performed routine maintenance and trouble shot electronics and mechanical problems.
"preventative maintenance," "hand tools," and "osha" are among the most common skills that mechanic's assistants use at work. You can find even more mechanic's assistant responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a mechanic's assistant to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes." Additionally, a mechanic's assistant resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "clean and detail interior of diesel trucks and other company vehicles. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform mechanic's assistant duties is mechanical skills. Mechanic's assistants responsibilities require that "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." Mechanic's assistants also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assist in light mechanical duties of diesel trucks and company vehicles. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for mechanic's assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how mechanic's assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a mechanic's assistant: "researched and implemented organizational maintenance practices/techniques, repair/replace components of the engine, cooling system, brake system, hydraulic system. ".
Physical strength. A big part of what mechanic's assistants do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to mechanic's assistant responsibilities because "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical mechanic's assistant tasks: "organized physical parts inventory and updated online parts inventory database. "
Customer-service skills. Another crucial skill for a mechanic's assistant to carry out their responsibilities is "customer-service skills." A big part of what mechanic's assistants relies on this skill, since "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." How this skill relates to mechanic's assistant duties can be seen in an example from a mechanic's assistant resume snippet: "assist mechanics when needed courier service for customers pick up and deliver parts inventory/stock"
Dexterity. While "dexterity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to mechanic's assistant responsibilities. Much of what a mechanic's assistant does relies on this skill, seeing as "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of mechanic's assistants: "shop maintenance* disassemble winches* shipping and receiving supplies* forklift and crane operator"
The three companies that hire the most mechanic's assistants are:
- Parker Global Strategies4 mechanic's assistants jobs
- General Electric3 mechanic's assistants jobs
- TEAM3 mechanic's assistants jobs
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Mechanic's assistant vs. Mobile equipment mechanic
Mobile equipment mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for conducting repairs and maintenance of construction and surface mining equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. These mechanics must inspect machines and heavy equipment while evaluating operating manuals to perform diagnosis and resolve any defects. They are required to use hand and power tools to perform repairs on the defective equipment parts. Mobile equipment mechanics must also check any open circuits on the electrical systems of heavy equipment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between mechanic's assistants and mobile equipment mechanic. For instance, mechanic's assistant responsibilities require skills such as "preventative maintenance," "routine maintenance," "maintenance services," and "service calls." Whereas a mobile equipment mechanic is skilled in "cranes," "loaders," "preventive maintenance," and "mechanical systems." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Mobile equipment mechanics really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $84,306. Comparatively, mechanic's assistants tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $53,930.On average, mobile equipment mechanics reach similar levels of education than mechanic's assistants. Mobile equipment mechanics are 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mechanic's assistant vs. Instrument technician apprentice
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mechanic's assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety equipment," "mechanical equipment," "vehicle maintenance," and "mechanical troubleshooting." Meanwhile, an instrument technician apprentice has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer satisfaction," "diagnosis," "cleanliness," and "good communication." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Instrument technician apprentices earn a lower average salary than mechanic's assistants. But instrument technician apprentices earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $38,671. Additionally, mechanic's assistants earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $53,930 annually.In general, instrument technician apprentices achieve similar levels of education than mechanic's assistants. They're 0.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanic's assistant vs. Light wheel mechanic
A light wheel mechanic is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance and efficiency of light-wheeled vehicles used for industrial operations, especially in a military setting. Light wheel mechanics inspect the condition of the vehicle's engine, perform preventive maintenance, replace defective components, assemble upgrade systems based on schematics and blueprints, and create resolution reports for reference. They must have excellent knowledge of the auto-mechanic industry to determine faults and identify repairs, avoiding delays, complications, and hazards during operations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a mechanic's assistant is likely to be skilled in "preventative maintenance," "hand tools," "osha," and "safety equipment," while a typical light wheel mechanic is skilled in "equipment systems," "mos," "track vehicles," and "ait."
When it comes to education, light wheel mechanics tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mechanic's assistants. In fact, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mechanic's assistant vs. Automotive mechanic
An automotive mechanic is responsible for inspecting the vehicle's engine, identifying defects and inconsistencies, and repairing malfunctioning components through diagnostic tests. Automotive mechanics diagnose problems and inform the customers of troubleshooting procedures and provide cost estimates for maintenance. They may also offer additional services to boost the engine's optimal performance and efficiency, at the same time, to generate more revenues for the business. An automotive mechanic must have excellent knowledge of the automotive industry, especially in responding to the inquiries and concerns of the customers regarding their vehicles and schedule regular repairs as necessary.
Types of mechanic's assistant
Updated January 8, 2025











