Requirements & Skills 6
- A minimum of 3-5 years prior experience in automotive collision repair preferred.
- Excellent communication skills and a passion for providing great customer service.
- A courteous and professional demeanor.
- Patience, motivation, and initiative to lead others.
- Good mechanical and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to move in and out of vehicles, stand, walk and bend for long periods of time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to lift moderate amounts of weight, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
Repairing And Finishing The Vehicle
Technicians use specialist tools to repair the damage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics discusses that they use hydraulic presses to realign structural components that have been damaged. To repair surface damage they use a range of hand tools, such as hammers, grinders and sanders. They use their knowledge of vehicle structure to remove and replace damaged components, such as doors, windscreens and fenders.
To restore bodywork to its original condition, technicians use fillers and body repair products to level the surface before using different grades of sanding material to prepare the body for painting. They check the surface carefully for any small imperfections before painting.
Another part of the auto body technician job description involves the need to respray the damaged areas to match the original finish and complete the job. They may use hand spray guns to paint small areas of damage, but use a spray booth to finish large surface areas. Finally, they replace any small components such as seals or trims.
Who Does An Automotive Technician Report To
Automotive Technicians usually report to an Automotive Mechanic Supervisor if they work in larger automotive shops. The Automotive Mechanic Supervisor is typically in charge of the team of Automotive Technicians to ensure theyre satisfying customers and working efficiently. Many of them complete big-picture items to keep the shop running smoothly.
Theyre also responsible for scheduling shifts, addressing any complaints or concerns a customer may have about the Technicians and providing guidance to Automotive Technicians who are having issues solving any complex issues repairing vehicles. If Automotive Technicians work in smaller repair shops, they may report directly to the owner of the shop with any questions or concerns.
Also Check: Mechanics Bank Auto Loan Phone Number
Auto Body Technician Salary & Job Outlook
When thinking about becoming a collision repair technician, some of your top questions are likely to be about the average annual auto body technician salary and whether theres a positive outlook for the field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median annual salary for automotive body and related repairers in the United States was $47,270 in May 2021.28 This means half of collision repair technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
Vehicle designs continue to increase in complexity, which means there is a need for technicians who are trained to repair them. And while accidents are an unfortunate constant on the roads, they do bring job stability for those in the industry.
Having skills and education can also help give you an advantage once youre looking to advance in the field and pursue additional opportunities. The CRRT program at UTI can be a good place to start. There are many possibilities for those who are passionate and work hard!
Automotive Technician Duties And Responsibilities
An Automotive Technician is largely responsible for diagnosing and repairing vehicle engine systems. Automotive Technicians may have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Repair brake and steering systems.
- Diagnose and repair electrical and electronic systems.
- Replace or repair transmissions and fuel components as needed.
- Repair cooling components and systems including air conditioners and engine cooling.
- Perform emissions inspections, safety checks and similar state-regulated vehicle examinations.
- Maintain a clean, safe working environment.
- Produce legible and accurate paperwork reflecting work performed.
- Possess a valid state drivers license for conducting test drives.
Don’t Miss: Best Auto Loans For Bad Credit
Auto Body Technician Job Duties
Auto body technicians have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Communicating with insurance companies in order to process claims or settle with customers directly
- Preparing a damaged vehicle for repair by removing parts such as doors, fenders, hoods, etc.
- Applying paint or other coatings to automotive surfaces using spray guns and other equipment
- Evaluating damage, estimating repair costs, and ensuring that repairs meet insurance standards
- Repairing damaged vehicles by replacing parts such as fenders, doors, hoods, roofs, and frames
- Installing new parts such as bumpers, headlights, tail lights, and wheels
- Applying protective coatings to metal surfaces to prevent corrosion
- Installing replacement windows, windshields, tires, and other components on vehicles
- Repairing dents and other damage using tools such as hammers, dollies, and pry bars
Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 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 go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
Recommended Reading: Liability Insurance Nc No Car
Automotive Technician Education And Training Requirements
Automotive Technician education and training requirements are based on the needs of the shop. The most common skills and requirements include a high school diploma or GED, ASE certification and more than 3 years of experience as a Service Technician or Automotive Technician. An understanding of and ability to use diagnostic equipment and a willingness to continue training and certifications is also useful.
Assessment Of Vehicle Damage
When a damaged vehicle comes into the body shop, the repair tech must first assess the damage to see if the vehicle can be economically repaired to a safe condition. Extensive structural damage may make a vehicle unrepairable.
According to the Automotive Training Center, technicians discuss the repair requirements with estimators and, later, with customers and representatives of customers insurance companies. Insurance companies must approve repair estimates before authorizing work to go ahead.
Read Also: Car Dealerships Closed On Sunday
Duties & Responsibilities 5
- Examine damaged vehicles to estimate repair procedures.
- Conduct parts inventory for collision repairs to ensure accuracy.
- Monitor the progress of vehicle repairs to determine the schedule for final assembly.
- Complete proper documentation and record keeping on repair orders.
- Perform proper tool and equipment usage and maintenance.
Auto Body Repair Technician Job Requirements
To become an auto body repair technician, one typically needs to have the following:
Education: Most auto body repair technicians need only a high school diploma or GED. However, some employers prefer candidates who have completed an auto body repair program at a technical school. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and include courses in auto body repair, collision repair, painting, sanding and finishing, and estimating.
Training & Experience: Auto body repair technicians typically receive on-the-job training from their employers. This training may last for a few weeks to a month and may include learning the shops policies and procedures, safety practices, the use of equipment and the repair process.
Certifications & Licenses: Some states require auto body repair technicians to obtain a state license. Requirements vary, so you should check the requirements in your state.
Also Check: Car Rentals Austin Texas Airport
Auto Body Technician Resume Samples
An Auto Body Technician will fix the car if it is damaged or destroyed due to an accident or any other incident and make it look as good as new. Job tasks mentioned on a well-crafted Auto Body Technician Resume include determining the repairing needs of the vehicle, assessing the automobile to see the type of damage occurred, creating cost estimates, cleaning and clearing surface, replacing old or damaged parts with new ones, performing denting and straightening work, removing damaged parts, grinding and buffing repaired surface, and sand bodying the area to be painted.
Candidates with a love for cars, and extraordinary hand-eye coordination, can seek this job role provided they can demonstrate these abilities as well the ability to look at and identify the exact damaged part, assess the repair cost and what it will take to repair calm and composed nature, dexterity, and an immense amount of technical skill. While it is possible to get into this job without any formal education, employers want at least some training or prior experience in auto body repair or refinishing.
Auto Body Repair Technician Job Duties
Auto body repair technicians have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Applying protective coatings to surfaces to prevent rust or other damage to metal parts
- Inspecting vehicles to ensure that they are safe to drive
- Determining the cost of repairs, ordering parts, and scheduling appointments with customers to discuss repair options
- Cleaning and repairing dents and other damage to vehicles caused by accidents
- Applying paint and other materials to surfaces using brushes, rollers, sprayers, and other tools
- Preparing damaged vehicles for transport to a body shop by removing parts and dismantling the vehicle frame
- Repairing dents and other damage to vehicles by hammering out dents or straightening bent frames with hydraulic jacks
- Applying primer and paint to surfaces to repair minor scratches and dents in the metal
- Installing new parts on vehicles such as bumpers and fenders, applying safety devices such as seat belts, and replacing headlights and taillights using hand tools or welding equipment
Don’t Miss: Applying For An Auto Loan
Auto Body Repair Technician Salary & Outlook
Auto body repair technicians salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the company size and geographic location. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of overtime.
- Median Annual Salary: $62,500
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $107,000
The employment of auto body repair technicians is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.
As cars last longer, more will need repairs rather than replacement. In addition, the increasing complexity of automotive systems, such as electronic stability control and adaptive cruise control, means that these systems will be more expensive to repair when they do break.
Popular Auto Body Technician Duties And Skills
Here are some commonly found skills and other specifications in job postings for Auto Body Technicians.
- Auto body repair
- Definition: Knowledge of or experience with auto body repair.
- Years of experience most commonly required: 4-5
- How common is it? This skill is found in 58.6% of Auto Body Technician job postings on Indeed.
Also Check: Buy Car No Credit Check
Skills Forauto Body Technician
Desired skills forauto body technicianinclude:
- Attend/collaborate with team during daily production meetings
- Performing work as outlined on repair orders with efficiency and accuracy
- Communicating with Estimators and Parts Associates to obtain necessary parts
- Assessing vehicle condition to determine if additional safety or repair work is needed
- Performing all body repairs according to estimate
- Performing welding, soldering, body alignment, and frame/unibody repairs
- Inspecting all work performed as a Quality Control measure as soon as jobs are completed
- Mixing all chemicals according to manufacturer directions/specifications
- Understanding and following federal, state, and local regulations that affect Collision Center operations, such as hazardous waste disposal, OSHA guidelines
- Gaining superior product knowledge to provide high quality repairs
- Minimum 1 year service technician experience or related fields preferred
- Prolonged periods of standing, stooping , crawling and bending Must furnish own hand/shop tools
- Certification from college or technical school in trade field is certainly helpful but, we also consider applicable work experience
- ICAR certification or interest to become certified
- OEM certification or interest to become certified
- Must have a valid, in-state drivers license with an acceptable, safe driving record
Auto Body Technician Faq
What tasks does an auto body technician do?
An auto body technician works on the exterior of cars. They perform tasks that are related to the repair, maintenance, and upgrading of these parts. An auto body technician will also help to prepare vehicles to be painted. They do this by refinishing the exterior of the car and sanding it, among other things.
What should I include in my auto body technician help-wanted ads?
You dont need to get too fancy when creating your auto body technician help-wanted ads. You just need to tell interested candidates what they need to know as efficiently as possible. The best way to do that is by following the strategy that weve shown above. Start with a few general paragraphs that talk about the most important parts of the job. Then create two bulleted lists that highlight the responsibilities and requirements of the work.
Can I use your auto body technician job description template?
Yes! We have no problem with you using any of our job description templates however you see fit. Just make sure that youre adding the aspects of your auto body technician job that we havent listed here. Doing so is an important part of differentiating your job from others.
Read Also: Cheapest Car Insurance In Tn
Requirements & Skills 2
- 2+ years of experience as a body shop technician or collision repair technician
- Trade School Certification or High School Diploma preferred
- Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Possess the physical stamina to work on hands and feet for prolonged periods of time
- Ability to collaborate with other team members in a fast-paced work environment
Auto Body Repair Technician Skills
Auto body repair technicians need the following skills in order to be successful:
Attention to detail: When repairing a vehicle, its important to have excellent attention to detail. This ensures that you complete all steps of the repair correctly and that the vehicle functions properly after you complete the repair. Attention to detail can also help you identify any potential issues before they become larger problems.
Mechanical aptitude: A basic understanding of how machines work can help you when repairing automobiles. Understanding how to identify and repair mechanical issues can help you complete tasks more efficiently and accurately.
Communication skills: Communication skills are necessary for auto body repair technicians to have, as they often work with other technicians, customers and insurance representatives. Body repair technicians must be able to explain the damage to a vehicle, the steps theyll take to repair it and the cost of the repairs. They must also be able to explain to customers why they cant repair certain parts of a vehicle.
Problem-solving skills: When working on a car, there are often several steps involved in repairing the vehicle. Auto body repair technicians may need to solve problems that arise during the repair process, such as finding the right parts or figuring out how to complete a task.
You May Like: Junk Car Removal No Title
Auto Body Technician Resume
Objective : To obtain an internship or an entry-level position, with the opportunity to grow and learn with a company while making use of my skills and currently growing knowledge as an Auto Body Technician.
Skills : Custom Painting, Welding, Custom Fabrication, Detail-Oriented, Time Management Skills.
- Prepared cars for paint by wet sanding and buffing them down.
- Taped off entire sections of cars ensuring only specific areas are painted.
- Put finished painted items back on the cars.
- Made lists of new items needed for damaged vehicles and made sure new parts are ordered.
- Performed oil changes, changing air filters, changing batteries, rotating tires, swapping tires for different rims, assisting with alignments.
- Dropped off customers’ cars at various shops to have further work done to them.
- Assembled vehicles with new and repaired refinished parts.
Duties & Responsibilities 6
- Examining damaged vehicles and parts.
- Removing dents, filling depressions, filing, grinding, sanding and painting repaired surfaces.
- Conducting repairs, replacements, and adjustments of vehicle equipment to restore operating condition specified in safety regulations and repair manuals.
- Complying with all environmental and safety regulations.
- Maintaining cleanliness for the premises which includes sweeping, mopping, picking up trash, cleaning restrooms, and removing snow.
Also Check: Car Rental Tampa Bay Airport
Skills And Relevant Work Experience
To become a collision technician, you will need skills and talents such as:
- Physical fitness and stamina, as collision technicians will need to stand up for long periods of time, lift heavy materials or work in small and cramped spaces
- Attention to detail, as restoring damage requires someone who can notice even the smallest imperfections
- Customer-service skills, as collision technicians must be understanding, courteous and be able to communicate ideas, problems and solutions to paying customers
- Time management skills, as collision technicians will need to ensure that repairs are they are completed before the deadline
- Dexterity, as collision technicians will have to carefully fix dents or paint work issues using various tools . This requires a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination
- Critical thinking skills, as collision technicians must be able to accurately evaluate vehicle damage and determine necessary repair strategies