The difference between mechanics and auto repair technicians

As cars and trucks become more sophisticated, electronic and digitized components play a part in almost every part of their mechanical functionality. This electronic sensor-guided fusion of the mechanical and computerized has made them much more complex.

As a result, for many of today’s cars, mechanical automotive work is no longer only about simple hands-on wrench and lubricant handling. Instead, complex diagnostic tools and electronic systems considerations also enter the picture.

This is where the key difference between mechanics and automotive technicians comes into play. While both professionals can be equally capable of performing the same car repair and diagnostic tasks, mechanics are more focused on physical repair work for different automotive systems.

Automotive technicians focus more intensely on the computerized diagnostic testing of a car’s electrical and electronic sensors for its mechanical parts. This also means reading these digital components to figure out what kind of mechanical problems they relate to. In many cases, their work revolves more around data and automotive software systems than pure mechanical work.

What automotive mechanics do

It is important to note that mechanics can be just as capable as any technician at diagnostic systems work with modern cars. Having this skill set is even necessary because most newer cars can barely be repaired without specialized computer tools. Generally speaking though, mechanics are more occupied with the physical work of repairing a car’s mechanical hardware.

Mechanics can also be specialists at repairing certain complex parts of a car. This specialization can include expertise in things such as checking electrical systems, brake system repair, fuel system maintenance and, of course, disassembling and replacing engine components. They should have at least some skill in all of these tasks without necessarily having to specialize in one particular thing.

A mechanic’s job duties might include any of the following tasks:

• Handling mechanical maintenance and repairs
• Performing electrical and hydraulic repair and diagnostic work
• Performing mechanical inspections of different parts of a car’s systems and handling legal inspections
• Establishing repair recommendations and quoting prices in terms of parts and labor
• Performing quality checks on tools, equipment and shop machinery
• Handling general electrical and electronic diagnosis for cars

As you can see, mechanics may also handle their own computer-based automotive diagnosis and interpretation in many situations despite a mechanical focus.

What automotive technicians do

Automotive technicians for their part often specialize in data. Their work can be just as physical and mechanical as that of a regular auto mechanic, but it will often include a great deal of expert training and experience in the computer diagnostics of car maintenance.

This can mean that an automotive technician combines computerized automotive diagnosis equipment with hands-on work, or it can also mean that a technician specializes in particular electric and electronic aspects of car repair.

The tasks that an automotive technician is likely to do might include:

• Using specialized car repair computers and diagnostic equipment to root out electrical and electronic data about a car’s performance
• Interpreting this digital information in a way that helps them diagnose the cars performance issues or problems
• Planning repairs based on their digital and systems data
• Conducting automotive reprogramming and electronic updates for newly installed parts and systems in a vehicle

Technicians usually focus on diagnosing for the sake of planning repairs that mechanics might take care of afterwards. They can do this in a specialized setting or as part of a larger mechanical team in a general auto repair shop.

Technicians can often handle their own hands-on repair work if needed, much like many mechanics have to use diagnostic tools for checking a vehicle’s systems.

Similarities of automotive technicians vs mechanics

In many cases, both mechanics and automotive technicians are tasked with the same basic jobs when it comes to car repair. In most cases, both technicians and mechanics will be easily able to handle the essentials of car maintenance, such as:

• Tire rotation and alignment
• Oil changes
• Fluid checks and top-ups
• Basic engine tune-ups
• Brake replacements
• Engine diagnostic checks

A certain level of capability crossover is necessary between mechanics and technicians. If you need to hire a reliable professional who will only have to handle the basics of car maintenance and car repair, both technicians and auto mechanics can be equally up to the task.

Types of mechanics and technicians

Versions of these two different professional profiles also exist for many other increasingly sophisticated industry niches. There are mechanics and technicians with their respective diagnostic or repair duties for industrial vehicle maintenance, collision repair, marine machine maintenance, aircraft repair and for machines such as diesel generators.

Salary differences for a technician vs a mechanic

Interestingly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not really distinguish between mechanics and technicians when it comes to salary and professional differences. It just classifies both under the general category of automotive service technician and mechanic.

The BLS also claims the same average salary of $44,050 per year, or $21.80 per hour, for both kinds of professionals. This can vary depending on specialist niche, work requirements, local demand for mechanics or technicians and on levels of specific professional training. If you’re hiring either a mechanic or a technician, your salary negotiation might have to be flexible depending on the above.

Which should you hire?

If you’re considering hiring a car repair expert for your business, the bottom line is that you should assess your specific needs carefully. Be sure to specify whether you want an automotive mechanic or an automotive technician for your staff. There are enough differences between them for the job description title to matter.

For example, if you just need routine mechanical repair of older or simple vehicles, a technician might not be necessary at all. If, on the other hand, you are managing a car rental agency with a fleet of modern cars and vans, having your own on-hand technician and mechanic might be an excellent idea.