Automotive Service Workers, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Although service technicians work on traditional mechanical systems, such as engines, transmissions, and drivebelts, they also must be familiar with a growing number of electronic systems. Braking, transmission, and steering systems, for example, are controlled primarily by computers and electronic components.
Other integrated electronic systems, such as accident-avoidance sensors, are becoming common as well. In addition, a growing number of technicians are required to work on vehicles that use electricity or alternative fuels, such as ethanol.
Service technicians use many different tools, including computerized diagnostic tools and power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding torches, and jacks and hoists. These tools usually are owned by their employers.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Automotive Service Workers, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Although service technicians work on traditional mechanical systems, such as engines, transmissions, and drivebelts, they also must be familiar with a growing number of electronic systems. Braking, transmission, and steering systems, for example, are controlled primarily by computers and electronic components.
Other integrated electronic systems, such as accident-avoidance sensors, are becoming common as well. In addition, a growing number of technicians are required to work on vehicles that use electricity or alternative fuels, such as ethanol.
Service technicians use many different tools, including computerized diagnostic tools and power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding torches, and jacks and hoists. These tools usually are owned by their employers.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Job opportunities for qualified applicants should be very good, whether they obtained their knowledge through education or experience.
Many job openings will be in automobile dealerships and independent repair shops, where most service technicians currently work.
Employment projections data for automotive service technicians and mechanics, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 49-3023 | 749,900 | 795,800 | 6 | 45,900 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for automotive service technicians and mechanics, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
| SOC Code |
| 49-3023 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 749,900 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 795,800 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 6 |
| NUMERIC |
| 45,900 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $39,550 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,430.
In May 2017, the median annual wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Automobile Dealers | $43,180 |
|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanical and Electrical repair and maintenance | $37,420 |
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores | $33,640 |
Most service technicians work full time, and many work evenings or weekends. Overtime is common.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
The number of vehicles in use is expected to continue to rise. More entry-level service technicians will be needed to perform basic maintenance and repair, such as replacing brake pads and changing oil, on these vehicles. New technologies, however, such as electric vehicles, may limit future demand for automotive service technicians and mechanics because these vehicles will be more reliable and thus require less frequent maintenance and repair.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Automotive Service Technicians
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| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
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| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| See How to Become One |
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| $35,990 |
Free Staffing Resources
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
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National Association of Personnel Services
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Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
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American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
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National Association of Executive Recruiters
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National Association for Health Care Recruitment
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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Top Echelon Recruiting Network
