AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAINS DONT GET PAID WELL !

AUTOMOTIVE TECHS DONT GET PAID WELL ! THEY HAVE BUY 50,000.00 IN TOOLS AND WORK ON HOT ENGINES,GET CUT ,BURNT AND PAID CRAP. THE STARTING PAY IS ABOUT 8.00- 10.00 A HOUR AFTER YOU HAVE A YEAR OF SCHOOL UNDER YOUR BELT. AFTER FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS YOU MAY BE MAKING 17.50 - 19.50 PER FLAT RATE HOUR.IF A BRAKE JOB PAYS TWO HOURS AND YOU DO IT 1 HOUR YOU HAVE DONE WELL.BUT LETS SAY YOU WORK FOR A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A ENGINE JOB THAT PAYS 8 HOURS UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT TAKE YOU 12 HOURS -YOU JUST WORKED 4 HOURS FOR FREE.ITS FORCES THE TECH TO TAKE SHORT CUTS THAT MAY BE UNSAFE.THINKING ABOUT BEING A AUTOMOTIVE TECH, THINK AGAIN. TRY A PLUMBER AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE FIELD YOU MAKE 30.00 PLUS A HOUR AND ALL YOU NEED IS BUCKET OF TOOLS FOR COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS.!!!!!!!!!!!

being an auto tech is a burnt out option in terms of employment. when really any person could have done it, it payed good ten years ago. it paid very very well but since the late 90s its been horrible. the auto makers rip off the technicians with their warranty flat rate pay but slowly but surely warranties are getting longer and longer and pay less. your better off being a service writer who doesnt even have to buy the pen or computer they use. the cost of tools is rediculous a wrench from snap-on is 30 dollars. to achieve 8 hours daily right now at the dealer im at seems like a very difficult feat and this is sad considering a toolbox costs between 4k to 13k empty. its not that there arent enough qualified people but its plain stupid to do such a difficult job for such below average pay. im making 15 per hour or 2200 gross a month at 80 hours every two weeks. time to go back to school after spending 20k in education for this poor paying job.

Yes, I must agree, the automotive technician job used to be profitable, rewarding and honest years ago. More tools, more training, more complexity and constant pay cuts due to warranty labor rate reductions.

The warranty labor rate reductions trickle down to Chiltons, Motors, Mitchells and other flat rate manuals. They bump up the posted warranty rate and there you have it..........customer pay jobs that pay less too!

You used to get a decent percentage of the flat rate too. I remember years ago getting 50%! Ha! check it out now! Labor rates of $90-$100 per hr......what's your portion of that? You do the math! Very sad!

And, don't get me started about this flush/service scam. IT'S COMMONLY REFERED TO AS A WALLET FLUSH!!! That's they only thing that really gets a full service!

It is so sad to see what has happened in this business over the years. I really used to love it and loved doing it. I left the business over a year ago at the top of my game, (experience, certifications, etc.)

I'm not looking back and not going back! I would no longer recommend this profession to anyone!

I OWN A SUCEESSFUL INDEPENDENT SHOP IN BLACK FOREST OUTSIDE COLORADO SPRINGS. WE HAVE 4 TECHNICIANS, THE QUALIFIED TECHS MAKE $25 A FLATRATE HOUR, AND OUR CUSTOMER PAYS $87 PER HOUR. SOUNDS GOOD BUT ONLY AS LONG AS BILLED AND FLAGED TIME MATCH, TOO OFTEN IT HAS NOT MATCHED. WE LOOSE 20% DUE WARRANTEE AND LOW ESTIMATES TRYING TO STAY COMPETITIVE. IN MY OPINION, THE PUBLIC IS THE DRIVING FACTOR THAT KEEPS THE INDUSTRY WAGE LOW. BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE PUBLIC IS OFTEN THE VICTIM OF POORLY SKILLED TECHNICIANS AND A GREED DRIVEN INDUSTRY. ITS A RACKET THAT NEEDS TO BE STREAMED LINED AND/OR INDUCED WITH SOME REAL INTEGRITY. WE ALL SHOULD MAKE GOOD LIVING WITHOUT HAVING TO WORK 65+ HOURS A WEEK TO BE SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE. AS LONG AS THE PUBLIC CONTINUES PULL THE FINANCIAL STRINGS AND SALES PERSONEL CONTINIUE TO SELL GARBAGE MAINTENANCE AND FOLLOW ONLY THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR THIS INDUSTRY WILL NEVER CHANGE. THE ANSWER INSTEAD IS TO SEEK OUT THE CUSTOMER NEED WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND INTEGRITY POSSIABLE AND THEN MAKE SURE YOUR PAIDED FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ACCURACY. THAT IS THE ART OF REAL SALESMANSHIP, NOT HOW YOU CAN BEAT FLATRATE AND THEN SMOOTH TALK CUSTOMERS INTO A CRAP REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE ITEM. WE NEED SOME TYPE OF GUIDE TO BASE OUR BILLABLE TIME, NOT A DO OR DIE FLATRATE SYSTEM WHICH IS OFTEN INACURATE. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO RESPECT WHAT WE DO AND FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST IN MIND. TOO OFTEN THIS IS NOT THE CASE AND IT WILL NEVER CHANGE UNTIL WE AS PROFESSIONALS CREATE THIS KIND OF CULTURE THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION. FIX THE COMPANY CULTURE AND THE CUSTOMERS WILL FOLLOW. THE PROFITS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN, NOT THE "WANTA BE'S". SOUNDS EASIER THAN IT IS, BUT PERCEPTION IS AN ENORMOUS PART OF SUCCESS IN ANY INDUSTRY. UNTIL WE REVISE OUR OUTLOOK WITH INTEGRITY FIRST, THEN QUALITY AND BELIEVE THE ALMIGHTY "BUCK" WILL FOLLOW, THE INDUSTRY WILL ALWAYS FALL SHORT OF THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS THE PUBLIC DEMANDS.

Yes!,Yes!,Yes! I agree with all the above. I too left this trade earlier this year after 22 dissapointing years at the top of my field with all factory and ase certifications. I have never been so happy! I had the good fortune to have had the experience of 50/50 early in my career. It is really sad what has happened to our industry, and now with the introduction of the light duty classification it is a real slap in the face. I will continue to service a few of my loyal customers that have followed me home, other than that I will not look back!

I had to leave the industry two years ago, not by choice but because of a motorcycle accident. I agree with everybody, I worked two jobs to live comfortably. I was in the automotive field for almost ten years when 9/11 happened and I could no longer afford to drive an hour to the ford dealership just to flag 20 hrs/week. When I started at the dealership there was almost twenty techs, by the time I left there was ten. I left and went to a motorcycle dealership. I was their for five years when I left, I was making 9.25 /hr, I should also mention I'm a harley certified tech and was working at a harley dealership. Shop rate 75/hr. So I understand and I'm on your side. I feel the biggest problem is that the general public doesn't understand the the way in which tech are paid. I lost alot of speed because of my accident(my leg was broken in three places knee,femur,and hip and lost allof the cartiledge)people ask me all the time why i don't go back. lets see i'm slower, doc said five years fo wrenching means knee and hip replacement, and I make more consistent money cooking for a local resturaunt and doing side jobs that i can hand pick. Education of the public, and bigger penalties for hacks

Boy you hit the nail on the head Techicans are looseing all the time

Where do you go after this many years of being a technician, what other jobs are out there without going back to school?

Actually I had about five or six years of resturant experience, so I fell back on that, bartending and I am now a line cook at a local family resturant. Not the same but in a way the same sense of pride in your work

I have to agree with alot that is said but my preception of the real problem is a bit different. I am a Dealer tech and have been for the last 12 years. I do quite well at it,for now. I have watched many things change with flat rate as far as the warranty aspect goes. Yes warranty times have dropped substantially. I have watched many of skilled techs bow out of the buisness for something different, although at a lower initial income. My pay thus far has steadly increased over the years. I dont see my self leaving just yet.

The problem, in my opinion does have to do with the general publics perception of what we do and what we have to know inorder to do this job. It also doesnt help when main chain service facilities perform unscrupulos acts tainting the publics image of us. I can remember an incident over 10 years ago that still taints people. (I intentionally left out the corperations name due to the sue happiness of people today.)
Here is the other issue for me as a dealer tech. People today have extreamly busy schedules which means they do not have time to take their car in for service. This has 2 effects on the trade. The first is due to this manufactures are making cars less serivceable. Meaning no timing belts,105k plugs,integrating fuel filter into the pump,100k coolant,7500 mile oil life, synthetic fluids for long life and many more service items being improved all in the intrest of keeping the purchasing customer on the road longer. Manufatures are not in the buisness of servicing cars, they are in it to sell cars period. Therefore they are making cars more appealing to customers. A large portion of these cars will never return to the dealer for customer pay work. They will be in for any warranty repairs but as mentioned above that pay is in many cases less then "fair-rate". People will trade these in for something newer likely before the vehcile reaches 100K.
out of characters so to be continued......

The 2nd effect is people with their busy schedules that have the older cars that still do have maintence items that need to be done will neglet the needed items. The end result they drive it till that item fails substantially increasing the cost of the repair. When that person receives the estimate for the repair they feel we are just trying to rip them off or did and start telling all their friends how the local mechanic took them for all their money.

The thing I find the most puzzling is how a consumer has no problem jumping in a technicians face and discracing everything he has learned and work so hard at doing all most of his working career. (havent had this happen to me yet but have seen it) My thought is this, would that same person yell at a cook in a resturant that is cooking the food they are eating? No! Why not??? My god this guy is working on your car you drive your family around in. Are you really sure you want to be yelling at him??

Fortunitly for me the dealer takes care of me, If I get in some heavy diagnosis on a warranty job, if the warranty doesnt take care of it the dealer steps up so I dont take to much of a loss.

For us at the dealer and most dealers 80% of the cars are less then 5 yrs old which translates to about 75% warranty repairs. 15-18% are cars between 5 and 10yrs old leaving only about 2-5% over 10years old. Most of those cars end up in aftermarket shops.

One thing you guys should reflect on though, why did you decide to do this for a living when you started? I did it because I love the challenge of finding and fixing real problems with these machines. Not because of the politics that take place in the buisness. Which is the real problem with this career, enough so to drive good techs out.Almost did it myself a few times, but always looked closely at my initial reasons and see they are still there dispite it all.So I have learned to ignore the B.S.

Ex-Toyota Tech in Saint Paul, Minnesota said: Yes!,Yes!,Yes! I agree with all the above. I too left this trade earlier this year after 22 dissapointing years at the top of my field with all factory and ase certifications. I have never been so happy! I had the good fortune to have had the experience of 50/50 early in my career. It is really sad what has happened to our industry, and now with the introduction of the light duty classification it is a real slap in the face. I will continue to service a few of my loyal customers that have followed me home, other than that I will not look back!

I went back to college studying to become a history teacher. I always liked cars,but what do you do when your fifty or sixty. I am looking to take a job as a pharmacy technician while in school. My wife went to college and is an EXA/CPht for walgreens pharmicies.And she has a great job. Anyways I am trasitioning out of a field that is just to unstable to ever really plan for any stable future. I dont even buy tools anymore.

It's been a year and I still believe that leaving the Auto industry was the BEST thing I ever did! I still buy some tools and yes I still work on a FEW cars, at home for family and some of the loyal customers I've had over the years. I was lucky enough to have had a sideline that turned out to be a good career! I do like to fix things and figure out problems (sometimes on the phone for some of my former colleages) and I do enough of that to satisfy that hunger but, I no longer have to be involved in dealership politics and I love it! To me working on cars part time at home is much better than busting my ass for no respect and little money at the dealership! It is not that hard if you are talented and HONEST to find enough customers to stay busy full time if you want to.

John Demper in Guilford, Connecticut said: AUTOMOTIVE TECHS DONT GET PAID WELL ! THEY HAVE BUY 50,000.00 IN TOOLS AND WORK ON HOT ENGINES,GET CUT ,BURNT AND PAID CRAP. THE STARTING PAY IS ABOUT 8.00- 10.00 A HOUR AFTER YOU HAVE A YEAR OF SCHOOL UNDER YOUR BELT. AFTER FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS YOU MAY BE MAKING 17.50 - 19.50 PER FLAT RATE HOUR.IF A BRAKE JOB PAYS TWO HOURS AND YOU DO IT 1 HOUR YOU HAVE DONE WELL.BUT LETS SAY YOU WORK FOR A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A ENGINE JOB THAT PAYS 8 HOURS UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT TAKE YOU 12 HOURS -YOU JUST WORKED 4 HOURS FOR FREE.ITS FORCES THE TECH TO TAKE SHORT CUTS THAT MAY BE UNSAFE.THINKING ABOUT BEING A AUTOMOTIVE TECH, THINK AGAIN. TRY A PLUMBER AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE FIELD YOU MAKE 30.00 PLUS A HOUR AND ALL YOU NEED IS BUCKET OF TOOLS FOR COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS.!!!!!!!!!!!

everybody are just cheap and just want to fill their pockets but without a mechanic and a body man this people cannot run their business,i hope all trade people can understand me and teach these people a lesson .thanks

I just worked at a shope as an Oil Change/Brake Technician. My freind got me the job. He went to UTi for 2 years and has worked for this (*&($ for 3 years. The $%@#%^ pays him $11.50 an hour while he has the other two techs on book time. Mother #%$#%$ acts like you can never work hard enough for him, especially to make more money. He's a #$%#$#

every body ,lets go on strike and than see wat happens

satish kumar in Plano, Texas said: every body ,lets go on strike and than see wat happens

Well Satish, Two years ago we went on strike over the addition of the light duty classification, and after 2 ugly months, the rank and file caved in and accepted the worst deal since losing the 50/50 incentive a number of years ago. That and the greedy corporations that are buying up all the dealers and squeezing their employee's was enough for me!

For what ever reason, technicians have not stuck together strong enough to make for a real strong union!

This is the first time that I have seen a forum for automotive technicians! I have to say that this is a great start to be able to unify for better changes. I have been an automotive technician for going on 17 years and have just recently come back to the service. I left the service two years ago and tried to find other career choices that would support my family. This obviously failed! The problem is that most of us techs are only good at this line of work and at the same time are on a downword spiral to a bleek and ineffective career. I am employed in the automotive capital of the world( or at least was). I have watched the industry shift in so many different ways that it just confuses you. I started during the 50/50 days, rode the wave of the commission train, took the stability of the hourly pay and jumped abored the flat rate hindenburg. They all are an unfair system of pay. I have noticed that its not the how we get paid that is the problem, it's the who's going to pay you thats the problem. On commission and flat rate, you will only make money if two things happen: the rate of pay and the availability of business. The shop nor the tech will make anything if there is no work. However, even if there is work available, the rate has to be beneficially enough to offset your down time. However, anyone on hourly will find that they will not only get paid for what they are worth;but,will also be held back from what they're true potenetial could make them. It's a lose-lose situation either way you go! The worst problem is finding something else that you could do for a living that you could support your family in todays economy. Thats extremely hard, which brings me back to working in a shop again after 2 years out of the service. You still have to pay the bills.

You are all a bunch of whiners. Anyone with decent skills and a desire to learn can and will make a very good living as a flat rate tech. The biggest problem I see is just what I have seen here. A bunch of hens standing around crying about what they cant do. I think you should all quit and go sell hamburgers at mickey d's so that you can find something else to gripe about.

all this employers are raciest ,they only hire their own people either they know anything or not .

I don't understand the whining - sounds like most of you need to stop working for dealerships. Get into a small shop and control all the work yourself. I worked under a great tech once at a podunk Firestone in NC and the guy worked honestly and well and billed about 70 flatrate a week and got paid $21 an hour and that is a lot more money than many people make in this damn country. I especially like the one about the guy leaving being a tech to become a teacher!!! I have been a teacher for years now and man, your problems are only just beginning.

unless you manage, service manager, service writer, or an shop owner you are loosing. with 80,000 in tools state & ase certs updated scaners and a very terrable job market in michigan! i believe i'm close to done! truck drivers make alot better money with only three weeks to get cdl and cost of $3400.00 for school and "no tools/certs" to upkeep yearly!! good luck people i've been abused long enough!

i have been abused ,harrased ,used and what not so finally i took a job in walmart cooking chicken ,no trouble about tools and getting certified ,just lucky me and hope for best to all you out there

John Demper in Guilford, Connecticut said: AUTOMOTIVE TECHS DONT GET PAID WELL ! THEY HAVE BUY 50,000.00 IN TOOLS AND WORK ON HOT ENGINES,GET CUT ,BURNT AND PAID CRAP. THE STARTING PAY IS ABOUT 8.00- 10.00 A HOUR AFTER YOU HAVE A YEAR OF SCHOOL UNDER YOUR BELT. AFTER FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS YOU MAY BE MAKING 17.50 - 19.50 PER FLAT RATE HOUR.IF A BRAKE JOB PAYS TWO HOURS AND YOU DO IT 1 HOUR YOU HAVE DONE WELL.BUT LETS SAY YOU WORK FOR A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A ENGINE JOB THAT PAYS 8 HOURS UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT TAKE YOU 12 HOURS -YOU JUST WORKED 4 HOURS FOR FREE.ITS FORCES THE TECH TO TAKE SHORT CUTS THAT MAY BE UNSAFE.THINKING ABOUT BEING A AUTOMOTIVE TECH, THINK AGAIN. TRY A PLUMBER AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE FIELD YOU MAKE 30.00 PLUS A HOUR AND ALL YOU NEED IS BUCKET OF TOOLS FOR COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS.!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to agree.Ive been in the automotive repair business for over 20 years now and even though I have found somewhere that pays me $24 an hour (flat rate that is). It doesnt do any good to have a high hourly rate if the shop you work for doesnt charge correctly and you dont get paid correctly.I work for a company that pays a technician 1 hour to do a brake job no matter what is involved to do tthe repair.Even if the labor guide calls for 3 hours.And dont even start talking about diagnostics. hour even if its an intermittent problem and i take 12 hours to duplicate and diagnose the problem.If i wasnt a single father and had children to take care of i would have gotten out years ago.I dont recommend it to anyone.I discourage my children from gaining interest on working on cars because thats how i got started working in the driveway at home with my dad.

Booo Shiat in Longmont, Colorado said: I don't understand the whining - sounds like most of you need to stop working for dealerships. Get into a small shop and control all the work yourself. I worked under a great tech once at a podunk Firestone in NC and the guy worked honestly and well and billed about 70 flatrate a week and got paid $21 an hour and that is a lot more money than many people make in this damn country. I especially like the one about the guy leaving being a tech to become a teacher!!! I have been a teacher for years now and man, your problems are only just beginning.

I have worked for firestone myself so i can say this from experience.You may have worked with one tech that was in good with management and made some money,But i have found from my 20+ years in this profession that the only ones making money are the dishonest crooks.Management likes thses guy because it lines there pockets and if anything legals becomes of it they just fire the technician.Been around too long and have seen it all.

Greg in Columbia, Missouri said: You are all a bunch of whiners. Anyone with decent skills and a desire to learn can and will make a very good living as a flat rate tech. The biggest problem I see is just what I have seen here. A bunch of hens standing around crying about what they cant do. I think you should all quit and go sell hamburgers at mickey d's so that you can find something else to gripe about.

And i think you should work as a flat rate tech for at least 5 years and get paid like we do.Obviously your not a technician or if you are your one of the crooked techs managers love because you'll rip a customer off in a heartbeat charging for stuff you dont actually perform

right now i'm thinking abouth entering the automotive feild,as a auto technician.my thing is this,i know great pay only comes with experience as with any job, but what pay can you expect to make as an entry level mechanic,plus is there such a thing call a top master mechanic.i also want to know the hours mechanics usually work,and what to expect of the enviroment if anyone has any answers that may be helpful please reply thanks..........

jhood,
you just ruined the post for everyone
the business is crooked. stay away. enough is never enough and too little is too much. in other words your damned if you do and your damned if you don't. Don't be an auto tech! (besides its more money for me if you suck!)

I worked at a Carmax - 4 10 hour days, 3 days off. I billed around 80 flatrate hours a week at $16 an hour (I haven't been in this profession long enough for a higher wage). I worked thoroughly and honestly, but I will admit that you have to bust ass. Techs who are smart and fast and like to hustle will make money. Techs who like to stare at a job for thirty minutes, stand around the coke machine, pause here and there to talk about their POS ricer, will become bitter and grumble about how it is the industry more than their own work ethic. Also, you do not need 70k in tools or some of this other stuff people are going on about. Some use tools as a substitute for their you-know-what and the Snap-on man loves to see them coming. Get Snap-on or Matco for the regular, hard-use stuff, and cheap tools for the rest. Don't get tools that your brain can substitute for. Keep honest and your shop will respect that. Why? Because they need you more than you need them. A single tech can be hundreds of thousands in revenue for a shop. Especially, always remember, there are people who grumble constantly in every profession. EVERY profession. Also, remember that all jobs suck - that's why they are jobs. But take pride in what you do.

I have read a few of these comments..i work a full time job 40 to 50 hours a week and like to work in the garage in my spare time. Me and my brother came up with an idea to do brake jobs on nights and weekends to make some extra cash.. does any one have any input on liability and or pricing...thanks

brake liability is HUGE! don't do it unless you absolutely know what you're doing!!! peoples lives are at stake. i've seen plenty of botched brake jobs from customers trying to save a couple of bucks doing their own brakes. often the damage far outweighs the savings. there should be a law against people doing their own brakes!

I have read all of these comments and I would have to agree with most of them. I have been a tech for 19 years (at national chains and independent shops) and must agree that the pay rate is rediculous. The average pay for a tech is way below most other less thinking or stressful jobs and it is only getting worse. Alot of the problem is these small unliscensed shops that undercut everyone else and the fact that anyone can go into a Discount Auto and buy the parts they need(inferior) and install them on there car, but we have to be liscensed and certified to do it. If I would have known years ago what I know now, I surely would have not gotten in this profession. My sons ask me all the time to show them how to repair and work on cars, but I will not because I dont want them to be even the slightest bit interested in this line of work. As for the guy wanting to go into this profession, I would say to STAY AWAY. I used to love it, now I am burned out and unhappy.

1

Education is the only way to succesful change. I hate the automotive industry and have made the commitment to go back to school. The person who commented on the fact that I was leaving to become a teaccher, may have a point. Teaching has its problems too. But what teaching does offer is stability. Here in VA fresh out of college, I will start at 40k. That is not alot of money,but it is stable. It will not be effected by economic change.

Also for once in my life, it will be nice to make a difference. I used to like the automotive industrty, but there is simply no stability in it. Not only that I work with some of the biggest liars and back stabbers I have ever met. Very one sided, people acting to be your friend and then finding out otherwise. Also the atitudes of some people are very threateaning at times. It is not a good place to work at all. Funny thing is it is a Honda dealership, AS a technician, Honda and Toyota are probably the best ones to work for. Goodluck to everyone no matter what you decide.

Everyone here has a lot of good comments I went to tech school
started in a pit worked up to a dealership ended up at an independent that operation was total substandard begin with
some pay to great pay to no pay thats manicdepressive does any
body want to buy some tools figured I'd ask because this trade is over I should of sold the tools when the business was good!

there are many problems with this profession. iv'e been a tech for 15 years and have seen my pay steadily increase ("knock on wood"), but can calculate i'm approaching a plateau. dealerships are extremely against pay raises since it deflates their net profits, and the only way i can see my income keeping pace with inflation is to produce more flat rate hours. easier said than done. if i'm averaging b/w 50-80 hours a week now busting my butt, how can i make any more while warranty rates are still dropping and management keeps lowering flate rate times. it's capitalism in the RAW. in every industry out there, their goal is to show a profit percentage increase every year. it doesn't take a genius to figure out that reducing costs as the simplest solution. charge the customer slightly more for the same job while paying techs a little less every year. and yes this whole thing was started by the auto manufacturers themselves and has dwindled all the way down to the independants for the most part. figuring out and fixing problem cars still keeps me in this business but the attraction is fading, especially as i witness this corporate greed coupled with the actions of increasing number of dishonest techs who are degrading the highly skilled honest techs and the auto service industry as a whole. no wonder why we have a bad rap!! i guess i'm a whiner now with good reason

your all a bunch of wussies. i just graduated from the university of northwestern ohio got a job almost the same day that i graduated and am making very good money. Everybody whines about how crappy there jobs are and how the pay sucks. It just sounds to me like you all sit around with your thumb up your a** at work. I work at a firestone dealer and work my butt off every day because thats how it should be. Nothings easy. i enjoy what i do and thats why i picked this profession (knowing that the pay wasnt great as well) freaking lazy a**es, everyone wants life handed to them on a silver platter. Suck it up and be a man

just go and work in a body shop and do real job not a babys job than u will know how it feels .u are still a baby not a man

satish kumar in Plano, Texas said: just go and work in a body shop and do real job not a babys job than u will know how it feels .u are still a baby not a man

You have sucked in too many fumes. The body industry compared to mechanical and electrical/electronics ---not even comparable! Quality technicians motivated towards production -- not a hobby mentality should set the standard. Whether body or mechanical the good techs should be paid at the top of the industry. Unfortunitly the poor and sloppy drag the industry down!

Fleet work is the answer. I worked for a company that was owned by a man who cut grass as a boy and started his own landscape company. He had seen stripped threads in things that at first would take twenty min. to fix turn into two hours. He understood and paid me well till we were bought out by a very large company

dude no problem its not a horrible job but its not stable and you will never make great money. 4000 a month the most and it will be rare to have months that good. you will spend 20000 on tools and you will always be tired and grumpy. if your gonna work at a dealer go for the service writer position they get paid more and dont have to buy anything but slacks dress shoes and a pen.

With all the above statements of bitterness who would ever want to be an automotive technician. To be honest it all depends on who you work for and how good you are. For me averaging 12hr a day flat rate is the norm. This is over the course of years and I'm not even the top tech in our shop! Yes, other trades do offer more in terms of benefits, some are even unions like electricians. Buying 50k in tools does suck but when your hobby is restoration it softens the blow. The best way to make money in a dealership is to learn the waranty and how you can use it to your advantage. I see more turn over of bad techs who refuse the learn or think for themselves than I care to mention. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my body isn't telling me my best years are behind me but 75+k a year isn't half bad when you consider your pay is directly related to how hard you work.

Most of these comments seem to be coming from dealer techs. I work for a chain shop. We make a base hourly rate and then commission on the sales we do. Now it is true that it is very unstable work. But I have also had very productive weeks. My gross check have ranged anywhere from $300 all the way up to $1200 for one week. And I could do more, if the work was there. Now lately, business has sucked and my checks have been at the bottom end of the spectrum. I am always looking for a new job, something more steady with better pay. but i chose this work and it is what i am good at. I hate the fact that i have to pay to work by buying tools. You just have to find the right shop. My shop will reimburse me for the full price of my scanner that i bought. just one of the benefits of where i am at. It just sucks that are economy is having such a big affect on business right now.

You guys need to work for a fleet shop. Im making 24.70 an hour working on a fleet of busses. I have decent insurance employer paid 100%. I am in the teamster union local 652 you guys need to get working for transit companys. I worked for a chrysler/jeep/dodge dealer for 3 days before I quit. They paid me 45 minutes to change 2 lower balljoints on warranty it took me about 3 hours to do, while the guy next to me was changing a warranty engine that paid 8 hours and it was his third day on it! Its all about ass kissing and politics in a dealer. This one guy would start at 8 am and be done at 2 pm with 18 hours booked and i would be doing lof all day i said screw this unless u want to blow the service advisor dont work for a dealer!

Hey. I work for a honda dealership, and it is pretty good. However the politics are so bad it becomes funny. My questionis, could I make atransition to fleet work as a honda technician? Dont have much expirenece with the bigger vehicles.

Yeah you could do fleet work no problem. Working on bigger vehicles is alot easier than working on obd 2 and can vehicles. Most companys want you to have certs in ASE T-4 Brakes and T-8 PMI. Plus when you work fleet there is no time pressure when I used to work for an independant shop it was always run run run. Now I take my sweet ass time and I enjoy my life alot more.

I like being a Dealer tech. For one, I only have to worry about one product line. I have all the specialty tools and factory support at my disposal. And you dont need to spend 50k in tools. That is an ego thing. I learned a very long time ago that if I had to ask to borrow a tool more then three times, then I will buy it. Other wise I dont. Basic hand tools are basic hand tools. The quality may differ for sure, but I have a set of husky wrenches that I have had for years, and they still work. I have 1/4 inch sockets from sk, craftsman, stanley,. They all still work too. Every career has its good and bad points. there is no perfect profession. It seems that most of us, sometimes let are ego get in the way of professionalism. I will admit that since I stopped working on domestics, and switched to asian imports, I have enjoyed my career alot more. The domestic techs do have it hard.

Alot of interesting opinions here.
I left the mortgage industry to return to automotive school.
Lets see a poll of average pay so everyone is on the same page.

Sound off...
What make of car do you work on (mercedes, bmw, ford, honda....)?
What are you getting paid/hr?
Rough ave. of hours flagged per week?
What state do you work in?

im a nissan master tech and make 22.00 hour and average 75 hours a week flat rate at a nissan dealer in massachusetts...that's working my butt off roughly 55 hours a week doing honest work

Work for a Honda dealer in Virginia. I make 17.00 dollars an hour flat rate and on average get paid 90 to 125 hours bi-weekly. Hvae ase certification and VA inspector license. Work 730-530 M-F, with an hour lunch from 12-1. Saturday and Sunday Off. when you graduate from school get yourself a job with Honda, Toyota, or Nissan and stay there. They will continue your education through there training centers. Also dont be a pre-madonna, be a worker. You will recieve alot more respect. Dont go into extreme debt with snap-on. Most of my stuff is sk, craftsman, husky. Had it for years and they still work. Hondas dont require you to have too many tools anyways. Learn the basics and learn the warranty and you will be fine.