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The differences between service advisors and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a service advisor, becoming a mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $46,308 average annual salary of a service advisor.
The top three skills for a service advisor include customer service, product knowledge and basic math. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Service Advisor | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $46,308 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $22.26 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 222,424 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Service Advisors specialize in customer service in a car dealership or automotive shop. Acting as a front-desk representative, it is the Service Advisor's responsibility to greet clients and offer assistance, provide necessary and accurate information to customers regarding the automotive issues and needed repairs, respond to inquiries, and introduce the clients to the available mechanics. Moreover, Service Advisors must inform clients regarding the costs and warranties, keep the clients updated with the status of the repairs, coordinate with suppliers, and as well as manage the schedule of the mechanics.
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.
Service advisors and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Advisor | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $46,308 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $79,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a service advisor and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Service Advisor | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service advisors' and mechanics' demographics:
| Service Advisor | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 6.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 7% | 2% |