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.
A Day in the Life of an Automotive Engineering Technician
- Build instrumentation or laboratory test equipment for special purposes.
- Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
- Order new test equipment, supplies, or replacement parts.
- Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
- Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
- Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
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Automotive Engineering Technician Required Skills
These are the skills Automotive Engineering Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Emissions Engineer
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
- Engineering Team Supervisor
- Automotive Engineering Technician
- Durability Technician
Is There Going to be Demand 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.
What is the Average Salary of an Automotive Engineering Technician
The salary for Automotive Engineering Technicians ranges between about $34,900 and $85,430 a year.

Automotive Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Automotive Engineering Technicians make in each U.S. state?
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 |
What Tools do Automotive Engineering Technicians Use?
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
How do I Become an Automotive Engineering Technician?
Are there Automotive Engineering Technicians education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Automotive Engineering Technician?

Where Automotive Engineering Technicians Are Employed

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.
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