Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between shop mechanics and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a shop mechanic and a mechanic. Additionally, a shop mechanic has an average salary of $47,377, which is higher than the $47,149 average annual salary of a mechanic.
The top three skills for a shop mechanic include hand tools, preventative maintenance and hydraulic systems. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.
| Shop Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,377 | $47,149 |
| Hourly rate | $22.78 | $22.67 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 100,379 | 100,534 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.25 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A shop mechanic is responsible for maintaining and repairing defective machinery and vehicles. Shop mechanics identify the disrupted components by inspecting and running diagnostic tests and informing the owner of the necessary procedures they need to take. They discuss the costs and expenses, the materials to be used, and the duration to fix the machine upon analyzing its complexity. A shop mechanic monitors the shop inventory, assemble parts, and upgrade engines and machinery for optimal performance.
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.
Shop mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shop Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,377 | $47,149 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Wilson Construction | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a shop mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Shop Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between shop mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:
| Shop Mechanic | Mechanic | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 | 2% | 2% |