Find Trade Colleges

Automotive Body Repairer

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.

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.

undefined

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.

undefined

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?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Who Employs Automotive Body Repairers?

undefined

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

undefined

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:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.