Description
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Achievement/Effort
- Innovation
Tasks
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
- Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
Work Activities
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Detailed Work Activities
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Technology Skills
- Operating system software
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Point of sale POS software
Abilities
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Visualization
- Finger Dexterity
- Information Ordering
Skills
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Collision Repair and Refinish Certification: Structural Analysis and Damage Repair (B4)Certifying Organization
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Type
Core
Certificate name
School Bus Technician: Body Systems and Special EquipmentCertifying Organization
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Auto Glass MasterCertifying Organization
Auto Glass Safety Council
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Truck Equipment Certification - E2 Electrical/Electronic Systems Installation & RepairCertifying Organization
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $35,715 |
| Median (50%) | $51,870 |
| High (90%) | $62,598 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $51,878 |
| Mid Level | $55,438 |
| Senior Level | $55,960 |
| Expert Level | $63,517 |
Employability
There are currently 169,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 171,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 1%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 1%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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