Post job

Mechanical detailer vs auto technician

The differences between mechanical detailers and auto 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 mechanical detailer and an auto technician. Additionally, an auto technician has an average salary of $41,435, which is higher than the $41,030 average annual salary of a mechanical detailer.

The top three skills for a mechanical detailer include customer vehicles, CAD and solidworks. The most important skills for an auto technician are taking care, preventive maintenance, and customer vehicles.

Mechanical detailer vs auto technician overview

Mechanical DetailerAuto Technician
Yearly salary$41,030$41,435
Hourly rate$19.73$19.92
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs24,721131,515
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Mechanical detailer vs auto technician salary

Mechanical detailers and auto technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mechanical DetailerAuto Technician
Average salary$41,030$41,435
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $28,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-Sterling, VA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Deloitte
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between mechanical detailer and auto technician education

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

Mechanical DetailerAuto Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Mechanical detailer vs auto technician demographics

Here are the differences between mechanical detailers' and auto technicians' demographics:

Mechanical DetailerAuto Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 91.7% Female, 8.3%Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between mechanical detailer and auto technician duties and responsibilities

Mechanical detailer example responsibilities.

  • Manage document collation for field distribution of MEP plans to shop and field.
  • Heat treat of metal.operate CNC lathes, CNC mills, CNC grinders.
  • Do mostly foreign and domestic cars, SUV and commercial diesel truck.
  • Maintain equipment, rebuild spindles, install motors, gearboxes, perform preventative maintenance.
  • Provide professional automobile detailing services with a variety of cleaning techniques and products to ensure the desired level of superior cleanliness.
  • Operate and troubleshoot production line machinery and computers.

Auto technician example responsibilities.

  • Fabricate parts using torches, saws, and welding equipment.
  • Assist ASE mechanics when need, check-in & inspect cars and keep shop clean.
  • Replace fuel pumps batteries ac compressors headlights light bulbs oil change transmission service radiator service
  • Tune ups, heating/cooling systems, A/C systems, brakes systems, electrical systems and engine rebuilds.
  • Do routine repairs to complete overhauls on engines, transmissions, suspension, brakes, electrical and A/C systems.
  • Certify by ASE in electrical / electronic systems, enabling diagnosing and repair of specify non-Ford part (s).
  • Show more

Mechanical detailer vs auto technician skills

Common mechanical detailer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 18%
  • CAD, 17%
  • Solidworks, 13%
  • Shop Drawings, 12%
  • HVAC, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
Common auto technician skills
  • Taking Care, 21%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 20%
  • Customer Vehicles, 12%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Diagnosis, 5%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs