The School For Automotive Engineering Mechanics Industry

Tom Gresham, Demand Media - Automotive engineers and automotive mechanics each play critical roles in keeping safe and efficient vehicles on the roads in the United States. Engineers work on vehicles in a broader sense, designing and developing new vehicles and improving the performance of existing machines. Mechanics diagnose and repair vehicles on a case-by-case basis, typically in a repair shop or at an auto dealer.

Auto Engineer Responsibilities
In addition to working for auto manufacturing companies, automotive engineers also work for engineering firms, government regulatory agencies and other departments and firms that need vehicle engineering expertise. Some engineers work on the creation of automobiles, helping to design systems and components, while others examine existing vehicles to analyze their effectiveness and to diagnose systemic problems and explore possible improvements. Engineers are a critical part of the manufacturing of vehicles and the ongoing oversight that ensures their fitness for public use.



Auto Mechanic Responsibilities
Auto mechanics largely work in auto repair shops, typically at either a shop that repairs a wide range of vehicles or a dealer that works on a particular brand. Mechanics work directly with drivers in a way engineers do not, discussing the specific operations of a particular vehicle. Mechanics labor to identify the source of problems with vehicles, then repair them so the car or truck can operate closer to its optimum level. Mechanics also carry out routine inspections of vehicles to make sure that they are safe to operate on the road.

Education and Training
Automotive engineers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering and many proceed to earn a master's degree that allows them to specialize more closely on automotive engineering. Auto mechanics need to have a minimum of a high school degree or its equivalent. In addition, mechanics typically receive extensive training before they work on vehicles. Some mechanics begin their training at a vocational school or in an associate's degree program that focuses on automotive repairs. Most then require years of on-the-job tutoring and hands-on experience to be ready to handle the wide variety of repairs that they will face.

Income
Automotive engineers possess a large advantage over automotive mechanics in terms of compensation. Auto mechanics earn a median annual wage of $36,180 per year and a mean wage of $38,560, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Automotive engineers, on the other hand, earn a median annual wage of $106,000 and a mean salary of $117,600, according to a survey of SAE International, which was formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers.

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