All Careers › Automotive Technician

Automotive Technician

Automotive technicians inspect, maintain, and repair cars and trucks. If you like figuring out how things work and working with your hands, it's a fast route into a stable trade.

Median Salary
$50,620/yr
Typical Range
$34,660 – $81,790
Job Outlook
As fast as average

What does a Automotive Technician do?

  • Diagnose problems using scan tools and test drives
  • Perform maintenance like oil changes, brakes, and tires
  • Repair engines, transmissions, and electrical systems
  • Explain needed work to customers

Education & training

High school diploma plus a vocational program or on-the-job training

How to become a Automotive Technician

  1. Take auto shop classes in high school
  2. Complete an automotive technology program
  3. Earn ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications
  4. Start at a dealership or independent shop

Skills that help

DiagnosticsMechanical skillAttention to detailCustomer service

Want to land a Automotive Technician job?

Build a résumé, cover letter, and interview prep tailored to Automotive Technician — free, in minutes.

Build My Free Career Kit →

National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer, and experience.