Auto repair, a.k.a. a mechanic, is one profession that will never go out of style, so to speak.
As long as we have vehicles for transportation, we will need Auto Repair Technicians to keep them rolling. As the ideal piece of machinery would never fail us, we can all agree that this is an unrealistic notion, therefore, we must depend on educated professionals to repair the complicated intricacies of the modern vehicle.
As an Auto Repair Technician, you can expect to earn a comfortable living. The salary for this position may range from between $30,000 to upwards of $64,000 per year, however, the average salary is most likely at around $38,470 – $50,000 annually. As with most trade-related positions, your experience and additional certifications will dictate your salary. The field of auto repair is expected to grow by 4% between now and 2028.
Auto Repair Technicians do a variety of service work on vehicles. They are responsible for oil changes, brake systems, electrical systems, troubleshooting and diagnosing issues, as well as, front-end alignments, air conditioning, and heating systems and working on drive trains and fuel control systems, just to name a few. Most have ASE certification to perform all repairs needed.
In addition, Auto Repair Technicians occasionally specialize in certain aspects of car repair such as, in transmission work, charging and electrical systems or engine replacement. Some prefer to work on certain makes only.
If you prefer working on heavier equipment such as trucks or buses, you may want to consider becoming a Diesel Mechanic. Doing preventative maintenance and routine repairs on diesel driven machinery can provide you with a salary of approximately $48,500 annually, with an expected job growth of 5% between now and 2028. As with auto repair, you may earn a certificate or enter an associate degree program to pursue a career as a Diesel Mechanic.
The Collision Specialist is hired to repair your vehicle’s body damage. If you’ve ever been in a wreck or had a small fender-bender, then you have used their services, no doubt. In addition to special training to make cosmetic repairs, often Collision Specialists or Auto Repair Technicians must also fix the internal problems caused by traffic accidents. Auto Body Repair Technicians earn $40,000 – $45,000 annually, depending on experience.
Perhaps you don’t like getting your hands dirty, but appreciate the workmanship that goes into the craft of car mechanics. Most Service Managers are highly skilled in car repairs, however, if you had rather focus on the administrative side of the auto mechanics business, you may want to consider this role. Service Managers often manage auto repair shops, help determine the costs of repairs and deal with customer relations. They also are concerned with deadlines and just making sure things run smoothly, in general. In this role, Service Managers typically earn between $34,915 – $92,688 annually depending on bonuses or commissions, however, the average salary is $53,991 per year.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best Online Schools for Auto Repair Programs, if you are interested in this field as a career choice.