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Life As an Automotive Engineering Technician
Job Description & Duties Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Daily Life Of an Automotive Engineering Technician
- Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
- Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
- Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
- Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
- Build instrumentation or laboratory test equipment for special purposes.
- Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity.
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What an Automotive Engineering Technician Should Know
Automotive Engineering Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Auto Design Checker
- Durability Technician
- Emissions Engineer
- Test Engineer
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
Are There Job Opportunities for Automotive Engineering Technicians?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 46,100 jobs in the United States for Automotive Engineering Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,300 new jobs for Automotive Engineering Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Automotive Engineering Technician are Utah, Connecticut, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Automotive Engineering Technician Salary
The average yearly salary of an Automotive Engineering Technician ranges between $34,900 and $85,430.
Automotive Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Automotive Engineering Technicians make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,670 |
| Alaska | $65,050 |
| Arizona | $57,620 |
| Arkansas | $53,860 |
| California | $62,510 |
| Colorado | $68,690 |
| Connecticut | $69,900 |
| District of Columbia | $55,820 |
| Florida | $50,360 |
| Georgia | $55,540 |
| Idaho | $54,740 |
| Illinois | $60,940 |
| Indiana | $53,430 |
| Iowa | $51,710 |
| Kansas | $55,210 |
| Kentucky | $50,510 |
| Louisiana | $82,350 |
| Maine | $62,720 |
| Maryland | $61,790 |
| Massachusetts | $60,100 |
| Michigan | $55,470 |
| Minnesota | $58,940 |
| Mississippi | $61,630 |
| Missouri | $51,850 |
| Montana | $55,070 |
| Nebraska | $56,070 |
| Nevada | $67,610 |
| New Hampshire | $55,160 |
| New Jersey | $55,090 |
| New Mexico | $79,530 |
| New York | $60,000 |
| North Carolina | $54,810 |
| North Dakota | $59,350 |
| Ohio | $54,660 |
| Oklahoma | $58,630 |
| Oregon | $51,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,640 |
| Rhode Island | $59,180 |
| South Carolina | $58,790 |
| South Dakota | $43,310 |
| Tennessee | $55,730 |
| Texas | $67,740 |
| Utah | $54,060 |
| Vermont | $53,420 |
| Virginia | $60,860 |
| Washington | $65,300 |
| West Virginia | $54,950 |
| Wisconsin | $52,140 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Automotive Engineering Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Engineering Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- IBM Notes
- Computer aided design CAD software
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Data acquisition software
- Autodesk Inventor
- Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
Becoming an Automotive Engineering Technician
What education is needed to be an Automotive Engineering Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Automotive Engineering Technicians Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Automotive Engineering Technicians employed by various industries.
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.