My days are spent conducting the various tasks associated with running your own auto shop. The idea behind my shop was to create an experience for customers that was 180º different from what they expect from an auto shop, so my days are spent constantly trying to ensure we live up to that standard. Other days, we could be filming episodes of "All Girls Garage" which adds to the hectic days.
CAREER
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$44,050
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-3.7% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Do
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Other Job Titles Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May Have
Automobile Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech), Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech), Heavy Line Technician, Lube Technician, Master Automotive Technician (Master Auto Tech), Mechanic, Quick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech), Service Technician (Service Tech)
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I work from 5:30am to 2pm every day. We have a list of trucks that need to be prepped and serviced each day so they are ready to go. When I am assigned the truck I am supposed to be working on, I have to print out a record of all of the preventative maintenance that has already been done to it and figure out the repair tasks that I need to complete. I complete my checklist of repairs, clean it up, and get it ready to be sold.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (44%)
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Be passionate about cars and fixing things. If you aren't passionate about that or are only doing this because someone told you to, then you need to consider pursuing something else. Surround yourself with positive people. Negativity will get you nowhere.
Being a good problem solver and having a knowledge of tools and equipment is important. Getting started in this industry is the hardest part because of the vast technical knowledge that you need to have. Take advantage of the different training opportunities available to you and just get started.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Dream wildly and then go for it! Read all of the magazines, articles, research, etc. that you can in order to introduce yourself to the industry and get familiar with its different aspects. Challenge yourself to learn a new skill as a mechanic or to complete a particular task.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in mechanics or another auto industry job, considering going to school in order to gain a foundational understanding. You can (and will) learn a lot on the job, but having that foundation eases the sharp learning curve when first entering this field.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
