Auto-Body Technician

Alternate Job Titles: Automotive Body Repairer, Collision Repair Technician

Job Description: Auto-body Technicians use a wide range of high-powered tools and machines to repair accident-related cosmetic, structural, or engine damage. For example, they use hydraulic presses to realign warped metal frames and components; pneumatic metal-cutting guns to remove badly damaged sections of car body panels; and hydraulic jacks or pneumatic hammers to remove dents and dimples. They manipulate grinders and hot-air welding guns to reshape plastic components on newer-model vehicles. Some specialize in the repair of fiberglass car bodies, and others focus on classic car restoration, keeping the muscle cars, vintage racers, and other bits of automotive history alive.

Working Conditions: Auto Repair Technicians usually work 40 hours per week; However, overtime may be required occasionally to meet the demands of clients. Some technicians take on additional projects outside of normal working hours in order to supplement their income.

Repair shops are usually large to accommodate the many hydraulic, pneumatic, and hand tools needed for the job. They must be very well ventilated to protect the technician from the fumes and dust created during the repair process. Like an automotive technician, the work of a collision repair specialist can be at times strenuous or frustrating. However, the technician can take satisfaction in seeing the concrete results of his efforts as a car is restored to like-new condition.

Education and Training Requirements: The rapid technological advances of the automobile industry have made formal training a near must for all automotive service jobs. Automobile bodies are now often made from a combination of different materials – from the traditional steel to new varieties of plastics and metal alloys – each of which requires different reshaping techniques.

Training programs at trade and technical schools last from six months to two years, depending on the specific course of study. Those professionals with one year of formal, post-secondary automotive training can try for the prestigious ASE credential after just one year on the job. Those without training must have two years of work experience before taking ASE exams. ASE offer's four Master Collision and Refinish Exams. To earn the certification, repair experts must pass at least one of the exams. ASE Repair technicians who pass all four of the repair exams are awarded master-level status and typically earn the highest salaries.

Salary Range:

* Overall National Average: $43,000
* Average Among Top 10%: $72,000
* Entry-level Average: $31,000
* High-level Average: $60,000

Job Outlook: Good to Excellent. Through the year 2012, employment in the U.S. automotive repair field is expected to increase by about 13%, with the creation of more than 7,000 new jobs each year. (ETA) In addition to a shortage of qualified collision repair technicians, there will be increased demand due to the changing bodies of automobiles, which use lighter weight materials and plastics that are more prone to damage in collision.

Check out the schools below to learn more abour earning an automotive degree. For your convenience, the list is organized by state.

Enroll in a school and learn how to repair automobiles today!

Sources:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Career Voyages
Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

Schools With Collision Repair and Refinishing Programs

Alabama
VC Tech / Virginia College Technical (Pelham) - Automotive/Light Diesel, Hot Rod & Custom Motorcycle Body Fabrication, Hot Rod & Custom Motorcycle Chassis Fabrication, Collision/Refinishing

California
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Sacramento) - Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology w/BMW FastTrack, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Automotive Technology

Indiana
Lincoln Technology Institute® (Indianapolis) automotive technology, automotive service management, high performance, collision repair and refinishing technology, diesel and truck technology, diesel and truck service management

Texas
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Houston) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology w/ Toyota TPAT, Diesel / Industrial Technology

See other schools offering similar programs:

Featured School
Universal Technical Institute (Multiple Campus Locations) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Ford FACT Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Diesel/Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology w/SMOG (California Emissions), BWM FastTrack
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Online
Penn Foster Career School - Auto Body Repair Technician, Auto Detailer, Auto Repair Technician

Arizona
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Avondale) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ BMW FastTRACK, Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology w/Cummins
Arizona Automotive Institute (Glendale) - Automotive / Autotronics, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive / Shop Management (AAS Degree), Automotive Technology
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives

California
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Rancho Cucamonga, Sacramento) - Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology w/BMW FastTrack, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology
Wyotech (Fremont, Long Beach, West Sacramento) - Automotive technology, Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines, Collision/Refinishing Technology, Street Rod and Custom Fabrication, Trim and Upholstery

Colorado
Westwood College (Denver) - automotive technology
IntelliTec Colleges (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction) - automotive technician

Connecticut
Baran Institute of Technology (East Windsor) - autobody technician, automotive technician

Florida
ATI Career Training Center (Miami) - automotive service technician
ATI Career Training Center (Oakland Park) - automotive service technician
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
Wyotech (Daytona Beach) - BMW Motorcycle Mechanic, Ducati Motorcycle Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Mechanic, Honda Motorcycle Mechanic, Kawasaki Motorcycle Mechanic, Marine Mechanics, Suzuki Motorcycle Mechanic, Yamaha Motorcycle Mechanic

Illinois
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Glendale Heights) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ International ITEP

Indiana

Maryland

Massachusetts
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Norwood) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Diesel / Industrial Technology

New Jersey

North Carolina
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Pennsylvania
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Exton) - Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II + Pit Crew
New Castle School of Trades (Pulaski) automotive Technology
York Technical Institute (York) motorcycle technology

Tennessee
Nashville Auto-Diesel College (Nashville) auto body repair technology (diploma and Associate Degree), automotive and diesel technology (diploma and Associate Degree)

Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute (Virginia Beach) Automotive Technology I, Automotive/Diesel Technology, Ford Motor Co. MLR Training

* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.