If you are the type of person that likes to tinker with machines and you also have a love for cars, then a career as an automotive technician will be the perfect job for you. As an automotive technician, there are several job functions and guidelines that you will need to follow. The first thing you will do is talk to your client to see what problem they are having with their vehicle. Next you will test systems of the car to make sure of the problem and how to fix the problem that is found. Once the problem has been identified, you may need to use computers to help you diagnose and fix the problem.
Several checklists and guidelines may need to be followed to fix problems that are found. As part of your job you may have to replace or repair parts that are no longer working correctly. A major part of your job will be to assemble and disassemble automotive parts. Several types of testing equipment and procedures may be used. You will also need to speak to the client about the problem found, the cost of repairs and how long it will take.
Automotive Technician Salary:
As an automotive tech you will be able to make a great salary. The current automotive technician salary is around $38,000 per year or $18 an hour. The amount of experience you have is very important to the amount you can make for your automotive technician wage. As a new automotive tech you can expect an automotive technician salary of $20,000. The more experience you get under your belt, the more money you will make. After five years of experience you can expect an automotive technician income of $26,000. After you have ten years of experience your salary will be in the $36,000 range. The automotive tech wage will be in the $47,000 per year range after you have fifteen years of experience. The top salary can be made once you have twenty years of experience. At this level of experience you can expect a salary of $59,000 a year.
Automotive Technician Education:
If you have decided that a job as an automotive tech is the job for you, then you will need to get some training under your belt. There are no real educational requirements needed in order to get hired as an auto tech. Although there are some technical and vocational schools that offer courses in auto technology. These can be completed in one to two years depending on the course that you decide upon. Most employers are looking for applicants with a degree or certificate. Course work will include hands on working with different vehicles and engines, math, computers and auto repair. After graduation you may decide to take a certification course in certain specialties such as engines, fuel injection systems and more. Some auto manufacturers also offer sponsored programs that include school work along with full time college work. Additionally, some places may also require on the job training as a part of the terms of employment with their company. This training can take from 1 to 5 years depending on the place that you work.
Automotive Technician Work Environment:
The work environment of an auto tech will depend on the type of place that they work in. The average tech will work in a repair shop or auto dealership. Most techs work in large, well lit garages or service areas. Work can be hard as you will need to move around a lot and you may have to move heavy parts and machinery. The average schedule for an auto tech is generally about forty hours per work week and this is generally a Monday through Friday schedule. Although some weekend or overnight work may occasionally be required. This job also has a high level of accidents that can happen. This is due to the amount of work that you are doing with your hands and the type of work that you are performing. Also working with large tools and machinery has a higher level of accidents happening. Cuts, bruises and other injuries are very common in this industry due to the level of work that is performed.
There are many great things about deciding to become an automotive technician. It is a job in which you get to use your head and your hands to complete your job and you are not stuck behind your desk. It also is a job that offers a great job outlook for the future. Currently, there are more than 720,000 people employed as auto techs. In the next few years the number of jobs available are supposed to increase by seventeen percent. This means that there will an additional 124,000 jobs added to the current job market. This means that there will be ample jobs for you to choose from.