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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers: what changes?

Consider Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics if you want to diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. Consider Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers if you would rather repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines. Entry credentials differ: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, postsecondary nondegree award; Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers, some college, no degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

National median pay (2025)
$50,620
Route into the job
Postsecondary nondegree award; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate
Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
66,200
Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics brief

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

National median pay (2025)
$47,810
Route into the job
Some college, no degree; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate
Reassemble machines after making repairs or replacing parts.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
6,100
Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 3% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has the edge on projected growth

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is at 5% projected growth, compared with -3% projected growth for Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers.

2

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has the edge on annual openings

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is at 66,200 annual openings, compared with 6,100 annual openings for Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers.

3

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has the edge on median pay

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is at $50,620, compared with $47,810 for Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers.

62.7/ 100

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

vs
36.3/ 100

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

DimensionAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsComputer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Median pay (2025)$50,620$47,810
Pay percentile34.3 percentile25.9 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)5%-3%
Annual openings (2025–2035)66,2006,100
2025 employment825,80072,100
How you qualifyPostsecondary nondegree award; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensingSome college, no degree; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 3Job Zone 3
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingOne month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics briefRead Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers brief

Try another comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
$50,620 · 5% growth
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
$52,600 · 4.8% growth
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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs HVAC Technician

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
$50,620 · 5% growth
HVAC Technician
$61,010 · 10.9% growth
Compare careers →

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers vs Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
$47,810 · -3% growth
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
$47,450 · -3.4% growth
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Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers vs Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
$47,810 · -3% growth
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
$47,880 · 2.3% growth
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