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.
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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.

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.

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:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Automotive Specialty Technicians?

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

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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