What does a shop helper do?
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.
Shop helper responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shop helper resumes:
- Help around the warehouse with press brake, fabrication, MIG, CNC, stainless steel, sheet metal
- Process and build aluminum frames for commercial glass buildings.
- Assist with trimming, sorting and preparing brochures and documents
- Rig up and rig down power tongs and power units.
- Perform a little bit of tig welding, but not much.
- Assemble new ATV's, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.
- Perform tig welding, tacking, cutting, bevel edges on pipe.
- Work in-shop, handle money, handle the register, work with customers.
- Used and maintain safety relate equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Assist in-shop customers, take order, handle money, make sandwich, etc.
- Use of hand grinder to deburr any rough edges on finish products for paint prep.
- Powder coating, masking parts, Deburr, hardware installation, shipping department, assembly.
- Work on a manual lathe, see table and with grinders to give the tensile its correct length and overall dimensions.
- Used proper tools assign for the task such as grinders, blowtorch, pressure air hose, welding machine, etc.
- Clean CNC machines from metal debris along with cleaning shop, load trucks and unload by operating fork lift.
Shop helper skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Shop Helpers are proficient in Customer Service, Tape Measure, and Grinders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Shop Helpers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 16%
Packed and organized pastries, customer service and reconcile financial transactions
- Tape Measure, 12%
Worked with simple tape measurements, angles, degrees.
- Grinders, 9%
Operated shop equipment and tools such as, grinders, shear machine, drill press, hydraulic press brake, Etc.
- Customer Vehicles, 9%
Performed routine inspection and maintenance on customer vehicles.
- BARS, 8%
Worked while in Middle/High school Manufactured light bars for "Oversize Loads" and the Tulsa Police Dept.
- Work Ethic, 6%
Commended by management for maintaining clean work area and demonstrating excellent work ethic, dependability and punctuality.
Most shop helpers use their skills in "customer service," "tape measure," and "grinders" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential shop helper responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a shop helper to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Shop helpers often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "clean up body shop, help customers with their cars, help them find their cars and take out trash. "
Detail oriented. Many shop helper duties rely on detail oriented. "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.," so a shop helper will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways shop helper responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "clean up all four auto body shops, detail vehicles, and make deliveries/pick up parts. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for shop helpers to perform their duties. For an example of how shop helper responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "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." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a shop helper: "hooked up sheet lifter, slings, chains, spreader bar, clamps, and magnets to overhead cranes. ".
Organizational skills. For certain shop helper responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of a shop helper rely on this skill, as "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what shop helpers do: "created visual renderings and organizational plots in conjunction with costume shop manager in designing production costuming. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another common skill required for shop helper responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." This skill comes up in the duties of shop helpers all the time, as "diesel technicians use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in mechanical and electronic systems." An excerpt from a real shop helper resume shows how this skill is central to what a shop helper does: "oil changes, tire changes and rotation, full service brake jobs, belt replacement, troubleshooting, and diagnosis. "
Mechanical skills. Lastly, "mechanical skills" is an important element of what a shop helper does. Shop helper responsibilities require this skill because "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example highlights how shop helper duties rely on this skill: "separate tubes tires from wheels, using rubber mallets and metal bars, or mechanical tire changers. "
The three companies that hire the most shop helpers are:
- Caliber Collision44 shop helpers jobs
- Aerotek35 shop helpers jobs
- TPI30 shop helpers jobs
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Compare different shop helpers
Shop helper vs. Installation assistant
A woodworking shop hand is responsible for assisting woodwork tasks, creating high-quality products, and inspecting the items thoroughly before packaging and releasing for delivery. Woodworking shop hands maintain clean and safe construction tools and equipment, perform repairs as needed, and disposing of defective items that may affect operational efficiency. They also work closely with woodworkers, accept customized requests from clients, and strategize on minimizing material costs without compromising the quality of wood products. A woodworking shop hand must have excellent organizational skills, as well as strictly adhering to the production's safety processes and regulations at all times.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between shop helpers and installation assistant. For instance, shop helper responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "grinders," "customer vehicles," and "bars." Whereas a installation assistant is skilled in "roofing," "customer satisfaction," "ladders," and "installation process." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, installation assistants reach similar levels of education than shop helpers. Installation assistants are 2.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Shop helper vs. Woodworking shop hand
A shop assistant is primarily responsible for handling customers and maintaining the upkeep of a sales floor in a retail store. They are in charge of greeting customers, answering inquiries, offering assistance, recommending products, and handling complaints. A shop assistant also has duties that involve receiving, verifying, processing, and sorting shipments from suppliers, managing inventory, and re-stocking shelves while keeping them presentable. To maintain the sales floor's cleanliness, a shop assistant may also perform light chores and keep all equipment organized. Furthermore, it is essential to accomplish tasks while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, shop helper responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "grinders," "customer vehicles," and "bars." Meanwhile, a woodworking shop hand has duties that require skills in areas such as "shop hand," "cdl," "load trucks," and "general shop." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, woodworking shop hands achieve similar levels of education than shop helpers. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shop helper vs. Shop assistant
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from shop helper resumes include skills like "tape measure," "grinders," "bars," and "work ethic," whereas a shop assistant is more likely to list skills in "sales floor," "pos," "costume shop," and "scheduling appointments. "
Shop assistants earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $32,963. Shop helpers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $36,026.When it comes to education, shop assistants tend to earn similar degree levels compared to shop helpers. In fact, they're 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Shop helper vs. Pinsetter mechanic helper
Types of shop helper
Updated January 8, 2025
