Automotive Technicians Needed To Fill Jobs

By AJ Fanter
ajfanter@careerschoolguide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

According to both the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automotive technician jobs are readily available, particularly for those who have completed a qualified automotive training program.

Grease Monkeys No More

Automobiles are changing, and so is the way in which auto technicians do their jobs. The NADA notes that “the ‘grease monkey’ image is a thing of the past.” In order to get an auto technician job these days you need be more than mechanically inclined, you’ve got to be tech savvy.

That’s because today’s automotive service areas are filled with high-tech diagnostic and repair equipment. As vehicle become more sophisticated, technicians must not only be familiar with this equipment but also know how to use it in their jobs.

Training is essential, according to both the NADA and the BLS. It is possible to work your way up through an auto dealership from porter or car washer to lubrication rack and light repair, but technical training will accelerate your advancement and prepare you for higher level work. Some auto technician training programs can take as little as 6 months, putting you that much closer to the job you want.

Auto Technician Jobs Plentiful and Rewarding

At present, U.S. dealerships employ about 245,000 automotive service technicians. The BLS projects that there will be an increase of between 9 and 17 percent in these jobs through 2014, and that those entering this field can expect fairly steady work. And, while no training can guarantee you a job or a particular salary, as of May 2004 the average salary for an automotive technician with a dealership job was $38,000.

If you’re ready for a career offering steady employment, solid pay, and a chance to work with both high-tech equipment and cars, its time to consider training for an automotive technician job.

Sources

“Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics,” Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Automobile Dealers Association

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.