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If you have a passion for cars, love working with your hands and are always up for a new challenge, a career as an automotive technician may be for you.1
Due to advancements in technology, now is an exciting time to pursue a career in the automotive industry. As a technician, you can apply your knowledge and skills to a variety of different environments as you pursue your passion. Keep reading to learn all about what an automotive technician does, automotive mechanic technician jobs, career outlook and more.
Why Train to Work in the Auto Industry?
A career as an auto technician can offer a dynamic work environment, a path for career advancement, and a place to put your passion and skills to the test.5 The automotive field is driven by rapid technological advancements such as hybrid engines, electric vehicles and high-tech diagnostics, all of which have become standard features.
If you want to pursue a career in an industry that you can grow alongside, and one that won’t go out of style, automotive may be for you.
276 million+
67,000+
“It’s not a job. It’s a career, and I love my career.”
Veronica Anderson, UTI Automotive Graduate
Types of Careers in the Automotive Industry
Curious about the different types of jobs in the automotive industry? Depending on personal interests, goals and skills, someone looking to get into this industry has many options and possible avenues to pursue. A typical day for an auto mechanic can range from performing general maintenance work to service writing.
Our grads are prepared to pursue entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, technicians may be able to advance in their careers with experience and hard work.77 Here is a list of common entry-level and advanced auto tech jobs:
Automotive Technician
Entry-level technicians perform general service, maintenance and diagnostic work. Students who have completed specialized training programs such as a Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI)11 may be more likely to pursue employment with the dealerships or manufacturers of the vehicles on which they trained.15
Other avenues available to pursue jobs as entry-level techs include independent shops as well as regional and national automotive repair chains such as NAPA Auto Care Centers.1
Parts Technician
Many automotive technicians decide to put their education to work in parts rather than as a service technician. Parts professionals manage inventory and deal with warranty issues that may arise from defective or damaged parts. Those who excel in this entry-level role work well with others and have a deep understanding of auto repair.
If a customer or service technician requests a specific part, knowledge of what needs to be replaced to gain access to that part is critical. This is where having automotive training is a bonus.
Service Writer/Advisor
Service writing is among the most commonly pursued entry-level automotive careers. Service writers are the go-between for customers and technicians. They write up job orders based on customer requests and diagnostic experience from similar issues. In some cases, service advisors dispatch the work to a specific technician based on that tech’s skill sets.
Service advisors need diagnostic skills as well as people skills. A great service advisor keeps the customer informed about the progress of the repair, getting authorization as needed for additional work. An automotive education background allows service advisors to be more accurate with estimating time for a given job.
Collision Repair Technician
Auto body technicians (also known as collision repair technicians) repair vehicles damaged in some type of accident. They replace and repair panels, bumpers and lights, and perform other tasks such as straightening frames and painting. UTI’s Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program provides a great foundation for those interested in this type of job.
Advanced Jobs In the Automotive Industry
Our grads are prepared to pursue entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, technicians may be able to advance in their careers with experience and hard work.77
Service Manager
Many automotive technicians work their way up to leadership positions at their shops or dealerships. Service managers are responsible for the technicians, parts employees and often the detailers/porters.
On any given day, a service manager may also work with customers regarding escalated issues, complete department forecasting and budgeting, and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers. A solid knowledge of automotive repair helps a service manager be more effective in his or her role.
Fleet Technician
Working with fleet vehicles can be a great advanced career move for someone with a background in automotive mechanics. Cities, towns and municipalities across the country have fleets of vehicles that need work. Many automotive technicians work for police departments or even local taxi companies, repairing vehicles and ensuring they run smoothly.
Shop Owner
Some automotive techs follow an entrepreneurial path and decide to work for themselves. Since this is an advanced role, many techs gain valuable experience working in shops or dealerships before taking the leap.
Knowledge of running a business is helpful, but without diagnostic and repair expertise owning a shop can be very challenging. Those with automotive backgrounds open a variety of different types of businesses, including independent shops, mobile repair techs, and tire and/or quick lube shops.
“So when I'm hiring technicians, I'm looking for the quality person that wants to make this a career. I'm looking for somebody that is more than just interested in a job. I'm looking for somebody that wants a career, wants to grow, and then I want to support them and provide everything they need to get to whatever level they want to be at.”6
Steven Witt | Service Manager, Lexus of Lakeway
Automotive Technician Salary & Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automotive technicians are predominantly employed in the automotive repair and maintenance industry. New and used car dealerships follow closely, where auto techs perform inspections, repairs and maintenance on new and pre-owned vehicles.
Many technicians also work in automotive parts, accessories and tire stores, often focusing on specific repairs like tire or brake work. Government agencies also have auto mechanic job openings as they need techs to maintain fleet vehicles for public safety and municipal services.
Finally, a smaller percentage of technicians are self-employed, running independent repair shops or mobile repair businesses that provide flexible work environments and customer services. Depending on your specific skillset, interest and determination, there are many pathways to pursue within the auto industry.
When researching any career, another important factor to consider is salary. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $47,770 in May 2023.25 This means half of automotive technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
While the number stated above is the median of the earnings of all automotive technicians in the United States, it can be helpful to look at the median wages of technicians in the 50 states and the District of Columbia as reported by the BLS . This can help you to understand how salaries vary across the country so you can plan your next career move.
Top 10 Median Annual Salaries for Auto Techs
Annual median salaries for automotive technicians vary in the U.S., but here are the top 10 median annual salaries for automotive technicians by state, as reported by the BLS in May 2023.*
*Not entry-level and is dependent on factors like experience, location, demand and employer compensation.
| Rank | State | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $62,940 |
| 2 | California | $61,610 |
| 3 | Alaska | $60,810 |
| 4 | Washington | $57,550 |
| 5 | Maryland | $55,190 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $53,280 |
| 7 | Delaware | $51,430 |
| 8 | Colorado | $50,940 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $50,000 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $49,700 |
To see median annual salaries for auto technicians in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, check out our blog post here.
Automotive Industry Outlook
There’s a real demand for skilled trades professionals, with total technician employment expected to exceed 1.9 million by 2033.38
Automotive technicians and mechanics are responsible for helping maintain and fix vehicles that are used by people nationwide.
How Do You Become an Automotive Technician?
If you have a passion for cars, you might be wondering, “What do I need to be an automotive technician?”
Cars are becoming increasingly complex. As a result, what it takes to qualify for automotive mechanic technician jobs are changing. For example, technicians must possess the knowledge and skills to fix the complex electrical systems that help power today’s cars and trucks.
There are several different paths you can take to pursue auto mechanic employment opportunities. One is to attend a trade school like UTI. The 51-week Automotive Technology program at UTI is designed to prepare you for a career as an automotive technician.7
As you move through your training, you learn by doing as you take on the maintenance and repair of both import and domestic autos.18 You’ll train on everything from simple engine systems to power and performance machines.
UTI’s industry relationships give students access to state-of-the-industry tools and technology that are being used by technicians in the field. These relationships also provide students with access to a nationwide database of employers looking to hire entry-level techs in the automotive industry.
Additionally, UTI graduates are well-prepared to complete ASE examinations and can substitute their training for one of the two years of experience required to test to become ASE certified. After completing the core program, UTI students can also increase their skill sets by completing an MSAT program to gain specialized knowledge on vehicles from leading manufacturers.
After completing a student-paid or manufacturer-paid MSAT, graduates may be able to pursue employment with the brand they trained on after graduation.15 Now is an exciting time to pursue a career in the automotive industry. If this career sounds like the right fit for you, you should consider automotive technician training!
Let UTI Train You for a Career in the Automotive Industry
Let UTI train you for a career in the automotive industry and gain the skills needed to pursue a career to be proud of. With over 67,000 estimated average annual job openings for automotive technicians in the U.S.,41 UTI’s hands-on training can help prepare you to compete for these opportunities.
Through hands-on practice and classroom instruction, the Automotive Technology program covers diagnostics, repair and maintenance for a wide range of vehicles, helping students build the knowledge and confidence employers value.
Additionally, UTI’s Career Services team offers personalized support to assist you in pursuing auto mechanic job openings, resume building and interview preparation!