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What Do Automotive Body Repairer Do?
Position Description Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Automotive Body Repairer Responsibilities
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
- Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
- Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
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Skills Needed to be an Automotive Body Repairer
When polled, Automotive Body Repairers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Automotive Body Repairer
- Body Sander
- Measure Technician
- Shop Technician
- Automotive Metalsmith
- Auto Bumper Straightener
Automotive Body Repairer Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 160,400 jobs for Automotive Body Repairer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 13,700 new jobs for Automotive Body Repairer by 2026. There will be an estimated 17,100 positions for Automotive Body Repairer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Automotive Body Repairer are Utah, Washington, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Maine, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Automotive Body Repairer
The average yearly salary of an Automotive Body Repairer ranges between $25,960 and $71,970.
Automotive Body Repairers who work in Alaska, Hawaii, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Automotive Body Repairers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,960 |
| Alaska | $61,440 |
| Arizona | $48,740 |
| Arkansas | $41,500 |
| California | $51,320 |
| Colorado | $49,410 |
| Connecticut | $50,970 |
| Delaware | $41,230 |
| District of Columbia | $45,800 |
| Florida | $41,600 |
| Georgia | $47,460 |
| Hawaii | $51,230 |
| Idaho | $45,270 |
| Illinois | $46,690 |
| Indiana | $41,910 |
| Iowa | $41,730 |
| Kansas | $41,350 |
| Kentucky | $43,540 |
| Louisiana | $41,870 |
| Maine | $38,200 |
| Maryland | $53,340 |
| Massachusetts | $50,790 |
| Michigan | $48,430 |
| Minnesota | $46,730 |
| Mississippi | $41,520 |
| Missouri | $47,640 |
| Montana | $43,460 |
| Nebraska | $42,290 |
| Nevada | $42,660 |
| New Hampshire | $45,660 |
| New Jersey | $49,180 |
| New Mexico | $39,180 |
| New York | $46,460 |
| North Carolina | $50,950 |
| North Dakota | $52,320 |
| Ohio | $43,230 |
| Oklahoma | $38,400 |
| Oregon | $43,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,080 |
| Rhode Island | $48,460 |
| South Carolina | $40,280 |
| South Dakota | $40,140 |
| Tennessee | $41,180 |
| Texas | $45,910 |
| Utah | $42,120 |
| Vermont | $43,540 |
| Virginia | $53,060 |
| Washington | $53,530 |
| West Virginia | $37,800 |
| Wisconsin | $43,970 |
| Wyoming | $47,190 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Automotive Body Repairers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Automotive Body Repairers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Appointment scheduling software
- Inventory management software
- Accounting software
- Palm OS
- Accounts receivable software
- Materials management software
- AutoZone ALLDATA
How to Become an Automotive Body Repairer
What education or degrees do I need to become an Automotive Body Repairer?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Automotive Body Repairers?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Automotive Body Repairer may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Automotive Body Repairer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Rail Car Repairers
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.