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Smog check technician vs automotive repair technician

The differences between smog check technicians and automotive repair 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 smog check technician and an automotive repair technician. Additionally, an automotive repair technician has an average salary of $43,699, which is higher than the $43,614 average annual salary of a smog check technician.

The top three skills for a smog check technician include repair orders, and . The most important skills for an automotive repair technician are diagnosis, professional work, and hand tools.

Smog check technician vs automotive repair technician overview

Smog Check TechnicianAutomotive Repair Technician
Yearly salary$43,614$43,699
Hourly rate$20.97$21.01
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs62,798160,366
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Smog check technician vs automotive repair technician salary

Smog check technicians and automotive repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Smog Check TechnicianAutomotive Repair Technician
Average salary$43,614$43,699
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $68,000Between $29,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-Fairfield, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between smog check technician and automotive repair technician education

There are a few differences between a smog check technician and an automotive repair technician in terms of educational background:

Smog Check TechnicianAutomotive Repair Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Smog check technician vs automotive repair technician demographics

Here are the differences between smog check technicians' and automotive repair technicians' demographics:

Smog Check TechnicianAutomotive Repair Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between smog check technician and automotive repair technician duties and responsibilities

Smog check technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement PLC programming and troubleshooting procedures while also initiating and executing process improvements and conducting parts research when necessary.
  • Follow all HIPAA guidelines with no exception.

Automotive repair technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer accounts from initial diagnosis and estimate to final invoicing.
  • Acquire ASE certification in brakes as well.
  • Monitor and analyze laser performance with respect to power, beam quality and atmospheric sodium return and communicates laser.
  • Download required software for programming and diagnostics to load on correct PC.
  • Diagnose, upgrade and repair PC and Macintosh computers, printers and laptops.
  • Communicate with users to remotely resolve windows software problems.
    • Show more

Smog check technician vs automotive repair technician skills

Common smog check technician skills
  • Repair Orders, 100%
Common automotive repair technician skills
  • Diagnosis, 18%
  • Professional Work, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • ABS, 7%
  • ASE, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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