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Automotive Body Repairer

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What You Need to Know About Automotive Body Repairer

Career Description Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Daily Life Of an Automotive Body Repairer

  • Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
  • Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
  • Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
  • Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
  • Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  • Replace damaged glass on vehicles.

What Every Automotive Body Repairer Should Know

Automotive Body Repairers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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

  • Bumper Straightener
  • Painter Apprentice
  • Shop Technician
  • Truck Body Repairer
  • Panel Beater

Job Outlook for Automotive Body Repairers

There were about 160,400 jobs for Automotive Body Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 17,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Do Automotive Body Repairers Make A Lot Of Money?

Automotive Body Repairers make between $25,960 and $71,970 a year.

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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

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Body Repairers:

  • 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

Becoming an Automotive Body Repairer

What education is needed to be an Automotive Body Repairer?

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What work experience do I need to become an Automotive Body Repairer?

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Who Employs Automotive Body Repairers?

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Automotive Body Repairers work in the following industries:

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being an Automotive Body Repairer may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as an Automotive Body Repairer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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