How to become an Automotive Technician
Start by getting your high school diploma or GED. Vocational programs and automotive tech schools can prepare you for this career, but on-the-job training is invaluable. To be considered "trained and certified," you can take an exam with ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers). Their certifications would endorse your knowledge and competence as an automotive service professional.
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Typical qualifications for an Automotive Technician
Certificates and licenses
About Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 609 Certification
A certification to install, maintain, and repair AC (air conditioning) units designed for motor vehicles, awarded by a certifying body approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) upon completing an education program and passing an exam.
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Skills employers are looking for
About Vehicle maintenance
Experience performing motorized vehicle maintenance.
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About Suspension
Experience repairing or installing vehicle suspension.
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About Tire service
Experience repairing or replacing tires.
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About Automotive diagnostics
Knowledge of or experience with automotive diagnostics.
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About Automotive service
Knowledge of or experience working in automotive service.
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Automotive Technician jobs in United States
Career progression for Automotive Technician
Education levels for Automotive Technicians
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 4.0% |
| Associate's degree | 3.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 2.0% |
| Master's degree | 1.0% |
| Middle school education | 0.0% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $30,700 |
| 4 - 8 | $34,300 |
| 8 - 12 | $38,500 |
| 12 - 16 | $41,200 |
| 16 - 20 | $41,100 |
| 20 - 24 | $42,800 |
Common questions about career advices for an Automotive Technician
What skills do I need to be an automotive technician?
An excellent automotive technician is able to build great rapport with customers and explain problems and solutions in a clear way. They should have up-to-date knowledge of new and products on the market and tool knowledge (both power tools and manual tools) They need to be problem solvers and possess the technical aptitude for determining what tools are needed for diagnosing and fixing problems.
What advancement opportunities are there for an automotive technician?
When an automotive technician has superior mechanical knowledge and strong customer service skills, there are opportunities to advance to a master mechanic. The master mechanic still needs the same expertise as an automotive technician, but at this level, the role also requires management abilities since there is responsibility taken on for the work of other employees.
