Are you ready to be an automotive technician?

Customer-service skills. Service technicians must discuss automotive problems-along with options to fix them-with their customers. Because workers may depend on repeat clients for business, they must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers' questions.

Detail oriented. Service technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing vehicle systems, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments or other easy-to-miss causes.

Dexterity. Service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand-eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies.

Mechanical skills. Service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other. They often must take apart major parts for repairs and be able to put them back together properly.

Organizational skills. Service technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability of parts.

Physical strength. Service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts such as engines and body panels.

Troubleshooting skills. Service technicians must be able to use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in increasingly complicated mechanical and electronic systems. They must be familiar with electronic control systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.

 

Job Demand 2014-2024

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers = 6% increase
Automotive service technicians and mechanics = 5% increase

Salary and career options
Training in automotive technology leads to rewarding jobs like service technician and also opens doors to other career paths in automotive management, engineering, and manufacturing.

 

Job

Education Required

Median Income

Customer Service Rep

High School

$21-30K

Automotive Tech

High School, 2-year degree

$36-80K

Automotive Manufacturing

Assembly Line, Production Mgmt.

High School, 2 or 4 year degree

$30-90K

Career Technical Educator

2-year degree, ASE certification

$52K

Auto Designers

2 or 4 year degree

$60K

Mechanical Engineer

4 year degree

$80K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

 


Our program

Employers prefer that automotive service technicians and mechanics complete a formal training program at a postsecondary institution. Industry certification is usually required once the person is employed.

Reynolds offers both a Loading... in Automotive Technology.

At Reynolds, we prepare students in the automotive career for jobs like:

  • line technician
  • parts specialist
  • parts manager
  • retail parts counter specialist
  • safety inspector
  • service technician
  • service writer
  • service manager
  • shop foreman

Our faculty

Reynolds Auto Tech faculty are the best. They are certified with master-level credentials in the field to ensure students are learning the latest techniques and best practices in the automotive industry.