Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Summary

What Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Do About this section

Automotive service technicians and mechanics perform oil changes on vehicles.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.

Duties

Automotive service technicians and mechanics typically do the following:

• Identify problems, often by using computerized diagnostic equipment
• Test parts and systems to ensure that they work properly
• Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires
• Repair or replace worn parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, and sensors
• Perform repairs to manufacturer and customer specifications
• Document repairs and maintenance performed, including parts used, hours worked, and vehicle condition
• Explain automotive problems and repairs to clients

Although service technicians work on traditional mechanical systems, such as engines, transmissions, and drivebelts, they also must be familiar with electronic systems and sensors, such as those used for braking, transmission, and accident avoidance.

Some technicians primarily focus on electric vehicles. Those who work on electric vehicles perform routine maintenance and identify issues related to battery performance, regenerative braking systems, and electric motor efficiency.

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.

Service technicians also use many common hand tools, such as wrenches, pliers, and sockets and ratchets. Service technicians typically own these tools themselves.

These workers must follow safety procedures and environmental regulations, such as when dealing with high-voltage electric vehicle systems or when disposing of oil or other hazardous materials.

The following are examples of types of service technicians:

Automotive air-conditioning technicians install and repair air-conditioners and parts, such as compressors, condensers, and controls. These workers must be trained and certified in handling refrigerants.

Brake technicians diagnose brake system problems, adjust brakes, replace brake rotors and pads, and make other repairs on brake systems. Some technicians specialize in both brake and front-end work. (See “Front-end technicians.”)

Diagnostic technicians use their extensive knowledge of engine management and fuel, electrical, ignition, and emissions systems to diagnose issues that prevent engines from performing efficiently. They often use the onboard diagnostic system of a car and electronic testing equipment, such as scan tools and multimeters, to find the malfunction.

Front-end technicians diagnose ride, handling, and tire wear problems. To correct these problems, they frequently use special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.

Transmission technicians and rebuilders work on gear trains, couplings, hydraulic pumps, and other parts of transmissions. An extensive knowledge of computer controls and the ability to diagnose electrical and hydraulic problems are needed to work on these complex components.

Technicians who specialize in diesel engines are described in the diesel service technicians and mechanics profile.

Technicians who work on farm equipment, construction vehicles, and railcars are described in the heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians profile.

Technicians who repair and service motorcycles, motorboats, and small all-terrain vehicles are described in the profile on small engine mechanics.

Work Environment About this section

Automotive service technicians and mechanics keep records of diagnostic tests and repairs.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 805,600 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of automotive service technicians and mechanics were as follows:

Service technicians typically work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops. Although technicians often identify and fix automotive problems with computers, they commonly work with greasy parts and tools, sometimes in uncomfortable positions. They may need to lift and maneuver heavy objects, such as tires.

These workers usually stand for most of the day. They may be exposed to fumes, chemicals, and noise. Occasionally, service technicians might need to work outdoors, in all types of weather.

Injuries and Illnesses

Automotive service technicians and mechanics have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may result from incidents, such as contact with equipment, falls, and overexertion. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as using proper lifting techniques and wearing steel-toed shoes and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Schedules

Most service technicians work full time. Evening or weekend work may be required.

How to Become an Automotive Service Technician or Mechanic About this section

Automotive service technicians and mechanics learn from more experienced workers.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics typically complete a program in automotive service technology or a related field. However, some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn on the job. Certification may be required.

Education

Students interested in becoming an automotive service technician or mechanic may benefit from taking high school courses in automotive repair, electronics, computers, and mathematics.

High schools, community colleges, and technical institutes offer programs in automotive service technology and related fields. These programs usually provide intensive career preparation through classroom instruction and hands-on practice, and they may result in earning a certificate or an associate’s degree. Some programs are sponsored by automobile manufacturers or dealers and focus on repairing a specific type of vehicle; others may focus on a particular subject, such as brake maintenance or engine performance.

Some service technicians enter the occupation without having completed an education program in automotive service technology. These workers usually learn their skills through on-the-job training.

Training

Automotive service technicians and mechanics typically receive at least some training on the job. The amount of training can vary. Those who have graduated from automotive service technology programs may require a relatively short period of on-the-job training.

Workers who enter the occupation without having completed a program in automotive service technology usually require longer training periods. These workers may start as trainee technicians, technicians’ helpers, or lubrication workers. They gradually acquire more knowledge and skill by working with experienced mechanics and technicians.

Some workers may complete an apprenticeship program, which usually combines paid on-the-job training with technical instruction.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all technicians who buy or work with refrigerants to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. No formal test preparation is required, but many trade schools, unions, and employer associations offer training programs designed for the EPA exam. More information on refrigerant certification is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Employers may require or prefer that their service technicians become certified, and some employers will pay for their workers to earn relevant certifications. Having industry certifications demonstrates competence and may bring higher pay.

There are multiple automobile specialty areas for certification, such as automatic transmission/transaxle, brakes, and electrical/electronic systems.

To become certified, technicians typically must have previous experience and must pass an exam. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Customer-service skills. Service technicians discuss automotive problems—along with options to fix them—with their customers. These workers must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions.

Detail oriented. Service technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing vehicle systems, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often caused by misalignments or other easy-to-miss causes.

Dexterity. Service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand–eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies.

Mechanical skills. Service technicians must be familiar with vehicle components and systems and know how they interact with each other. They often must disassemble major parts for repairs and be able to put them back together properly.

Physical strength. Service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts, such as tires and body panels.

Problem-solving skills. Service technicians use diagnostic equipment on vehicle systems and components to identify and fix issues in increasingly complicated mechanical and electronic systems. They must be familiar with electronic control systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $49,670 in May 2024. 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 $33,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,850.

In May 2024, the median annual wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Some repair shops pay technicians on an hourly basis, while others pay them based on the amount of work completed.

Most service technicians work full time. Evening or weekend work may be required.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 70,000 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The number of vehicles in use is expected to continue rising over the projections decade, and service technicians will be needed to maintain and repair them. Many owners are keeping their vehicles longer, which should support demand for these workers to provide the servicing that older vehicles often require.

The increased demand for calibrations and repairs for advanced safety systems will also support demand for these workers. However, the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, which require less maintenance and repair, may limit some of the future demand for these workers.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more details about work opportunities and training programs, contact local automobile dealers and repair shops or your local employment office. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online, or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.

For more information on refrigerant certification and air-conditioning technician training programs, visit

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

For information about certifications, visit CareerOneStop.

CareerOneStop

For a career video on automotive service technicians and mechanics, visit

Automotive service technicians and mechanics

O*NET

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics