Wheel alignment mechanic vs mechanic

The differences between wheel alignment 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 wheel alignment mechanic and a mechanic. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $41,985 average annual salary of a wheel alignment mechanic.

The top three skills for a wheel alignment mechanic include electrical systems, troubleshoot and preventive maintenance checks. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Wheel alignment mechanic vs mechanic overview

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Mechanic
Yearly salary	$41,985	$47,149
Hourly rate	$20.19	$22.67
Growth rate	1%	4%
Number of jobs	34,558	100,534
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	2	2

Wheel alignment mechanic vs mechanic salary

Wheel alignment mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Mechanic
Average salary	$41,985	$47,149
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $67,000	Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between wheel alignment mechanic and mechanic education

There are a few differences between a wheel alignment mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Wheel alignment mechanic vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between wheel alignment mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:

	Wheel Alignment Mechanic	Mechanic
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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%

Differences between wheel alignment mechanic and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Wheel alignment mechanic example responsibilities.

Service and repair for Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen automobiles.
Raise trucks, vehicles, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
Perform maintenance on M113, M88, M1A1, and M578 track vehicles.
Diagnose and repair M113 family of vehicles.
Diagnose electrical, air, hydraulics, and fuel problems on a variety of vehicles such as AVLB and M88 tanks.

Mechanic example responsibilities.

Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.

Wheel alignment mechanic vs mechanic skills

Common wheel alignment mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Preventive Maintenance Checks, 5%
Hydraulic Systems, 5%
Equipment Systems, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 5%

Common mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 7%
Diagnosis, 6%
Electrical Systems, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Wheel Alignment Mechanic vs Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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