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Automotive Specialty Technician

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What Do Automotive Specialty Technician Do?

Career Description Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.

What Do Automotive Specialty Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Service or repair butane gas, ethanol, methane, or other alternative or biofuel systems.
  • Repair or replace automobile leaf springs.
  • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
  • Service biodiesel fuel tanks for algae or sludge accumulation by cleaning, changing filters, or adding algaecides.
  • Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
  • Replace defective mufflers and tailpipes.

What Every Automotive Specialty Technician Should Know

When polled, Automotive Specialty Technicians 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.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Other Automotive Specialty Technician Job Titles

  • Automatic Transmission Mechanic
  • Tear Down Worker
  • Wheel Alignment Technician
  • NASCAR Pit Crew Person
  • Safety Belt Installer

Is There Going to be Demand for Automotive Specialty Technicians?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 749,900 jobs in the United States for Automotive Specialty Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 45,900 new jobs for Automotive Specialty Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 75,600 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Automotive Specialty Technician are Utah, Georgia, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in District of Columbia, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Automotive Specialty Technician Average Salary

Automotive Specialty Technicians make between $23,420 and $66,950 a year.

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Automotive Specialty Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.

How much do Automotive Specialty Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $41,050
Alaska $55,910
Arizona $44,360
Arkansas $37,710
California $48,720
Colorado $48,040
Connecticut $49,980
Delaware $44,260
District of Columbia $59,350
Florida $39,990
Georgia $42,600
Hawaii $46,250
Idaho $41,060
Illinois $46,300
Indiana $40,910
Iowa $41,360
Kansas $40,670
Kentucky $38,030
Louisiana $39,880
Maine $38,940
Maryland $50,050
Massachusetts $45,780
Michigan $42,220
Minnesota $42,520
Mississippi $38,640
Missouri $43,080
Montana $39,920
Nebraska $42,400
Nevada $46,270
New Hampshire $45,170
New Jersey $48,620
New Mexico $40,680
New York $44,350
North Carolina $41,620
North Dakota $44,970
Ohio $40,420
Oklahoma $40,240
Oregon $45,670
Pennsylvania $40,580
Rhode Island $40,560
South Carolina $40,040
South Dakota $41,450
Tennessee $40,930
Texas $44,260
Utah $42,840
Vermont $41,000
Virginia $47,730
Washington $49,680
West Virginia $34,470
Wisconsin $41,180
Wyoming $46,490

What Tools do Automotive Specialty Technicians Use?

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

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Data entry software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Database software
  • IBM Notes
  • Scheduling software
  • YouTube
  • Internet browser software
  • Estimating software
  • Technical manual database software
  • Online service manual database software
  • Alliance Automotive Shop Controller
  • Snap-On ShopKey

How to Become an Automotive Specialty Technician

Individuals working as an Automotive Specialty Technician have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Automotive Specialty Technicians?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Automotive Specialty Technicians employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming an Automotive Specialty Technician might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as an Automotive Specialty Technician 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.

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