Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

ManufacturingO*NET 49-3023.00United States

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $47,853
Projected change: +6.6%
Typical education: Certificate
Employment: 840.11K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What automotive service technicians and mechanics do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

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.
Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
Align vehicles' front ends.
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
Maintain cleanliness of work area.
Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $30,921
25th percentile: $35,953
50th percentile: $47,853
75th percentile: $67,754
90th percentile: $83,194

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $47,853 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+6.6%faster than average

2025840,108 jobs

2035 projected895,778 jobs

55,670 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

Certificate: 50.3%
High school diploma or less: 42.6%
Some college: 5.8%
Associate degree: 1.4%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Automotive Services
Changing Oil
Brakes
Suspension (Vehicle)
Good Driving Record
Lifting Ability
Vehicle Maintenance
Tires
Electrical Systems
Mechanics
Vehicle Inspection
HVAC
Oil and Gas
Transmission
Hand Tools
Tire Balancing And Rotation
Preventive Maintenance
Batteries
Diagnostic Tools
Mechanical Aptitude

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Automotive Technicians26,188 postings
02Lube Technicians8,823 postings
03Automotive Mechanics8,412 postings
04Mechanics7,120 postings
05Auto Care Center Managers6,477 postings
06Automotive Service Advisors6,451 postings
07Automotive Technicians/Mechanics6,001 postings
08Automotive Tire Technicians5,365 postings
09General Service Technicians5,028 postings
10Service Technicians3,887 postings
11Automotive Service Technicians3,468 postings
12Automotive Assistants/Service Managers3,323 postings
13Tire and Lube Technicians3,111 postings
14Master Technicians2,904 postings
15Automotive Maintenance Technicians2,548 postings
16Fleet Mechanics2,412 postings
17Technicians2,317 postings
18Automotive Repair Technicians1,746 postings
19Fleet Technicians1,708 postings
20Quick Lube Technicians1,501 postings

Top employers

01Mavis Tire10,789 postings
02Bridgestone Corporation7,936 postings
03Walmart6,853 postings
04Pep Boys3,325 postings
05Jp Euro3,110 postings
06Carvana2,781 postings
07CarMax2,716 postings
08VIOC2,278 postings
09Valvoline2,153 postings
10Christian Brothers Automotive1,966 postings
11Chevrolet1,945 postings
12Goodyear1,883 postings
13Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers1,844 postings
14Jiffy Lube1,553 postings
15Hudson Automotive Group1,523 postings
16Toyota Motor1,454 postings
17Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers1,355 postings
18Avis Budget Group1,211 postings
19Honda1,043 postings
20Grease Monkey918 postings

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