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Smog technician vs automotive technician

The differences between smog technicians and automotive 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 technician and an automotive technician. Additionally, an automotive technician has an average salary of $40,910, which is higher than the $39,758 average annual salary of a smog technician.

The top three skills for a smog technician include diagnosis, customer vehicles and customer service. The most important skills for an automotive technician are work ethic, computer system, and customer service.

Smog technician vs automotive technician overview

Smog TechnicianAutomotive Technician
Yearly salary$39,758$40,910
Hourly rate$19.11$19.67
Growth rate9%1%
Number of jobs63,758142,840
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age3840
Years of experience22

Smog technician vs automotive technician salary

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

Smog TechnicianAutomotive Technician
Average salary$39,758$40,910
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $56,000Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Orange County Sheriff's Office
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between smog technician and automotive technician education

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

Smog TechnicianAutomotive Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Smog technician vs automotive technician demographics

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

Smog TechnicianAutomotive Technician
Average age3840
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.3% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%2%

Differences between smog technician and automotive technician duties and responsibilities

Smog technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage daily repair activities for high-volume Honda repair facility.
  • Perform routine maintenance and advance diagnosis on customer cars.
  • Work with AutoCAD, set up designs and sending information to vinyl printer sending to plotter.
  • Certify Pass/Fail vehicles, and perform diagnosis and repair for failing vehicles to meet the minimum requirement for air pollution.
  • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.
  • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.

Automotive technician example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Repair, maintenance, and major overhaul of many type cummins diesel engines.
  • Require to have great attention to detail and have manual dexterity in both arms and hands.
  • Utilize diagnostic equipment to test electrical and engine components to provide proper diagnosis and solutions to customers
  • complete overhaul of cummins engines and mopar gasoline engines.
  • Perform maintenance in accordance with FAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Show more

Smog technician vs automotive technician skills

Common smog technician skills
  • Diagnosis, 45%
  • Customer Vehicles, 15%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • R, 7%
  • Oil Changes, 4%
  • ASE, 3%
Common automotive technician skills
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Computer System, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Taking Care, 8%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 7%
  • ASE, 6%

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