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The differences between shop helpers and technician's helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a shop helper, becoming a technician's helper takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a technician's helper has an average salary of $36,448, which is higher than the $32,686 average annual salary of a shop helper.
The top three skills for a shop helper include customer service, tape measure and grinders. The most important skills for a technician's helper are customer service, HVAC, and safety regulations.
| Shop Helper | Technician's Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $32,686 | $36,448 |
| Hourly rate | $15.71 | $17.52 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 23,652 | 81,564 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 39 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A shop helper is in charge of providing technical assistance to staff. Their responsibilities include operating devices and machinery, assisting in kit arrangements, preparing and handing over tools to mechanics, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and performing basic repairs as needed. They may also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, answering calls and correspondence, handling request procedures, and maintaining records of transactions. Furthermore, as a shop helper, it is essential to keep an active communication line with staff, coordinating for a smooth and efficient workflow.
A technician's helper primarily performs support tasks to assist technicians in carrying out various installations and repairs, learning technical skills along the way. They usually prepare and arrange tools and equipment, set-up and clean work areas, understand blueprints and schematics, troubleshoot issues, assemble materials, and fix and replace components under the technician's supervision. There are also times when they must coordinate with clients to identify their needs and preferences. Moreover, depending on their organization of employment, a technician's helper may also perform minimal clerical tasks such as handling calls, answering inquiries, or purchasing the necessary materials.
Shop helpers and technician's helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shop Helper | Technician's Helper | |
| Average salary | $32,686 | $36,448 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $22,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Commerce City, CO | Merced, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Delaware |
| Best paying company | NBCUniversal | PNM Resources |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a shop helper and a technician's helper in terms of educational background:
| Shop Helper | Technician's Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between shop helpers' and technician's helpers' demographics:
| Shop Helper | Technician's Helper | |
| Average age | 39 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 11% |