Automotive Training & Career Opportunities

Automotive Careers

1 out of every 10 jobs in the United States is in the automotive industry, and over the next decade the number of automotive technicians will keep growing 10% each year (U.S. Department of Labor).

That's 164,000 new high paying jobs between 2002 and 2012! Technicians early in their careers earn $30,000 to $60,000, while well trained and certified master technicians with current experience can earn over $100,000! And many of them move into other areas of the automotive industry, including Parts, Sales, Finance and Insurance, Management, Marketing and other career tracks.

Today's automotive technician is not just a “mechanic.” Over the past 30 years the electronic sophistication of today's vehicles has “raised the bar” in technician training and certification, too.

“The days of rebuilding a carburetor are long gone. Today you need a whole set of new skills.”

Roger Tadajewski, National Manager
AYES (Automotive Youth Education Systems)

Automotive technicians must be computer-savvy to diagnose and complete vehicle repair. Besides having a mechanical aptitude, you need an aptitude for mathematics and electronics and good analytical and problem-solving skills for this challenging, rewarding work.

Automotive Career Job Progression

Automotive service newcomers can start with General Service Technician Training and find work as trainee technicians or lubrication workers.

In two to five years after adding and practicing new skills on the job you can 'graduate' to journey level. Or you can jumpstart your career with postsecondary Automotive Technology Training and advance after just a few months of working in this sector.

Automotive Technicians who complete nationally-recognized certifications such as ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) can advance even faster.

You can also earn certification more quickly through formal Community, Trade or Technical College training. Visit the Resources section of this website to learn about Automotive Technician Training Programs.

See the Career Ladders (PDF) and Career Moves (PDF) charts for examples of how your automotive career can progress into many other areas of the industry.