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Mechanical detailer vs automotive technician

The differences between mechanical detailers and automotive 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 automotive technician. Additionally, a mechanical detailer has an average salary of $41,030, which is higher than the $40,910 average annual salary of an automotive technician.

The top three skills for a mechanical detailer include customer vehicles, CAD and solidworks. The most important skills for an automotive technician are work ethic, computer system, and customer service.

Mechanical detailer vs automotive technician overview

Mechanical DetailerAutomotive Technician
Yearly salary$41,030$40,910
Hourly rate$19.73$19.67
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs24,721142,840
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Mechanical detailer vs automotive technician salary

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

Mechanical DetailerAutomotive Technician
Average salary$41,030$40,910
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Orange County Sheriff's Office
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between mechanical detailer and automotive technician education

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

Mechanical DetailerAutomotive Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Mechanical detailer vs automotive technician demographics

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

Mechanical DetailerAutomotive Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 91.7% Female, 8.3%Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2%
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, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between mechanical detailer and automotive 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.

Automotive technician example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Repair, maintenance, and major overhaul of many type cummins diesel engines.
  • Require to have great attention to detail and have manual dexterity in both arms and hands.
  • Utilize diagnostic equipment to test electrical and engine components to provide proper diagnosis and solutions to customers
  • complete overhaul of cummins engines and mopar gasoline engines.
  • Perform maintenance in accordance with FAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Show more

Mechanical detailer vs automotive technician skills

Common mechanical detailer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 18%
  • CAD, 17%
  • Solidworks, 13%
  • Shop Drawings, 12%
  • HVAC, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
Common automotive technician skills
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Computer System, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Taking Care, 8%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 7%
  • ASE, 6%

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