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Automotive Service Mechanic

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AVG. SALARY

$45,310

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EDUCATION

1-2 years post-secondary training

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Career Video

About This Career

Diagnoses, adjusts, repairs, or overhauls automotive vehicles.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Inspects vehicles for damage and records findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
  • Test drives vehicles and tests components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
  • Tests and adjusts repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
  • Repairs, relines, replaces, and adjusts brakes.
  • Reviews work orders and discusses work with supervisors.
  • Estimates costs of vehicle repair.
  • Confers with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
  • Aligns vehicles' front ends.
  • Aligns wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
  • Tears down, repairs, and rebuilds faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
  • Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
  • Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
  • Requires getting into awkward positions
  • Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
  • Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
  • Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Automotive Technician (Auto Tech)
  • Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)
  • Mechanic
  • Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)
  • Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)
  • Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician)
  • Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)
  • Quick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech)
  • Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)
  • Service Technician (Service Tech)

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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