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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Other titles employers use
Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech) · Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic) · Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech) · Automotive Technician (Auto Tech) · Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech) · Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech) · Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician) · Mechanic
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
- Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Deductive Reasoning
- Manual Dexterity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Finger Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.6 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.9 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 56%
- High school or less 43%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Internet browser software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Facilities management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 82,090
- Job openings each year
- 7,490
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 13.9%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 82,090 | 7,490 | 13.9% |
| California | 66,300 | 5,700 | 3.3% |
| Florida | 64,340 | 5,830 | 12.5% |
| New York | 39,020 | 170 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 36,780 | 3,140 | 2.3% |
| Illinois | 34,540 | 2,950 | 2.3% |
| North Carolina | 30,080 | 2,700 | 10.9% |
| Georgia | 29,490 | 2,680 | 13.1% |
| Ohio | 27,810 | 2,370 | 1.7% |
| Michigan | 23,930 | 2,000 | −1.1% |
| Virginia | 22,780 | 1,900 | −1.6% |
| Tennessee | 22,520 | 2,110 | 19.5% |
| Arizona | 21,890 | 2,020 | 16.6% |
| Missouri | 20,860 | 1,780 | 2.4% |
| Maryland | 19,420 | 1,710 | 7.1% |
| New Jersey | 17,820 | 1,530 | 2.8% |
| Indiana | 16,970 | 1,450 | 1.9% |
| Washington | 16,860 | 1,740 | 13.3% |
| Colorado | 15,930 | 1,400 | 6.7% |
| Wisconsin | 15,520 | 1,370 | 7.7% |
| Minnesota | 14,820 | 1,270 | 3.2% |
| South Carolina | 14,420 | 1,270 | 7.4% |
| Utah | 11,820 | 1,110 | 19.0% |
| Alabama | 11,100 | 970 | 5.0% |
| Kentucky | 10,460 | 900 | 4.1% |
| Oklahoma | 10,360 | 890 | 2.7% |
| Connecticut | 9,630 | 840 | 6.1% |
| Louisiana | 9,030 | 780 | 3.2% |
| Iowa | 8,930 | 780 | 6.7% |
| Oregon | 8,420 | 740 | 7.4% |
| Mississippi | 7,730 | 670 | 4.9% |
| Nevada | 7,380 | 660 | 10.0% |
| Arkansas | 7,020 | 610 | 3.5% |
| New Mexico | 6,670 | 590 | 8.3% |
| Kansas | 6,570 | 560 | 2.8% |
| Idaho | 6,300 | 560 | 9.8% |
| Massachusetts | 5,610 | 480 | 2.9% |
| Puerto Rico | 5,050 | 470 | 16.4% |
| Nebraska | 4,900 | 430 | 5.2% |
| West Virginia | 4,390 | 360 | −3.1% |
| New Hampshire | 3,950 | 340 | 3.9% |
| Maine | 3,650 | 310 | −1.1% |
| Rhode Island | 3,490 | 310 | 7.1% |
| Montana | 3,090 | 280 | 11.6% |
| North Dakota | 2,710 | 230 | 4.2% |
| South Dakota | 2,600 | 230 | 11.1% |
| Vermont | 2,290 | 200 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | 2,090 | 180 | — |
| Alaska | 1,900 | 160 | 2.7% |
| Wyoming | 1,640 | 150 | 9.3% |
| Guam | 490 | 50 | 22.5% |
| District of Columbia | 390 | 30 | 2.6% |
| Virgin Islands | 140 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 265
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
CUNY New York City College of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 96
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Rochester Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 89
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Ferris State University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Indiana State University
- Degrees each year
- 77
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 73
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Toledo
- Degrees each year
- 66
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Compare every college offering vehicle maintenance and repair technologies/technicians