Become An Auto Body Worker
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Working As An Auto Body Worker
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Outdoors/walking/standing
$40,970
Average Salary
Example Of What An Auto Body Worker does
- Followed up and coordinated the repair process with production management.
- Weld: mig, stick aluminum.
- Use Tech manuals, ISO level 3 forms, various hand tools and power tools.
- Prepared sales slips and sales contracts.
- Utilize CCC ONE to generate estimates for customers and insurance companies.
- Performed oil changes and maintenance on all types of vehicles.
- Ensured shop safety by maintaining equipment, cleanliness, etc.
- Provide Customer Service to clients during drop off and pickup.
- Organized car parts Painted and cleaned cars for show room and customer
- Maintain inventory and order parts and materials as needed.
- Helped disassemble wrecked vehicle parts Learned some sanding and bondo Prep work for paint Assemble new parts on vehicles
- Provide auto body shop repair estimates for customers seeking auto body repairs.
- Helped in the assembly and application of automobile body panels, bumpers, hoods etc.
- Pound out small dents with a hammer, pick hammer, or punch.
- Prepared auto body parts for application of chrome.
- Test and inspect Us Army reserve equipmet,assist heavy equipment mechanic in repairing vehicles.
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How To Become An Auto Body Worker
Most employers prefer to hire automotive body and glass repairers who have completed a formal training program in automotive body or glass repair. Still, many new body and glass repairers begin work without formal training. Industry certification is increasingly important.
EducationHigh school, trade and technical school, and community college programs in collision repair combine hands-on practice and technical instruction. Topics usually include electronics, repair cost estimation, and welding, all of which provide a strong educational foundation for a career as a body repairer. Although not required, postsecondary education often provides the best preparation.
Trade and technical school programs typically award certificates after 6 months to 1 year of study. Some community colleges offer 2-year programs in collision repair. Many of these schools also offer certificates for individual courses, so students can take classes part time or as needed.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAlthough not required, certification is recommended because it shows competence and usually brings higher pay. In some instances it is required for advancement beyond entry-level work.
Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a standard credential for body repairers. In addition, many vehicle and paint manufacturers have product certification programs that train body repairers in specific technologies and repair methods.
A few states require a license to perform automotive glass installation and repair. Check with your state for more information.
TrainingNew workers typically begin their on-the-job training by helping an experienced body repairer with basic tasks, such as fixing minor dents. As they gain experience, they move on to more complex work, such as aligning car frames. Some body repairers may become trained in as little as 1 year, but they generally need 2 or 3 years of hands-on training to become fully independent body repairers.
Basic automotive glass installation and repair can be learned in as little as 6 months, but becoming fully independent can take up to a year of training.
Formally educated workers often require significantly less on-the-job training and typically advance to independent work more quickly than those who do not have the same level of education.
Throughout their careers, body repairers need to continue their education and training to keep up with rapidly changing automotive technology. Body repairers are expected to develop their skills by reading technical manuals and by attending classes and seminars. Many employers regularly send workers to advanced training programs, such as those offered by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
AdvancementAutomotive body and glass repairers earn more money as they gain experience, and some may advance into management positions within body shops, especially those workers with 2- or 4-year degrees.
Important QualitiesCritical-thinking skills. Automotive body and glass repairers must be able to evaluate vehicle damage and determine necessary repair strategies. In some cases, they must decide if a vehicle is “totaled,” or too damaged to justify the cost of repair.
Customer-service skills. Automotive body and glass repairers must discuss auto body and glass problems, along with options to fix them, with customers. Workers must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions.
Detail oriented. Automotive body and glass repairers must pay close attention to detail. Restoring a damaged auto body or windshield to its original state requires workers to have a keen eye for even the smallest imperfection.
Dexterity. Many body repairers’ tasks, such as removing door panels, hammering out dents, and using hand tools to install parts, require a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination.
Mechanical skills. Body repairers must know which diagnostic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other power equipment and tools are appropriate for certain procedures and repairs. They must know how to apply the correct techniques and methods necessary to repair modern automobiles.
Physical strength. Automotive body and glass repairers must sometimes lift heavy parts, such as door panels and windshields.
Time-management skills. Automotive body and glass repairers must be timely in their repairs. For many people, their automobile is their primary mode of transportation.
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Auto Body Worker jobs
Auto Body Worker Career Paths
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Auto Body Painter 4.7 years
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Auto Body Technician 4.3 years
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Auto Body Repairer 4.2 years
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Auto Body Repairman 4.1 years
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Auto Body Worker 3.0 years
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Body Shop Worker 2.8 years
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Body Worker 2.2 years
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Auto Body Technician 11.2%
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Cashier 9.4%
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Manager 6.5%
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Owner/Operator 5.9%
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Machine Operator 5.3%
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Owner 5.3%
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Technician 5.3%
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Assistant Manager 5.3%
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Sales Associate 4.7%
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Mechanic 4.7%
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Welder 4.1%
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Supervisor 4.1%
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Auto Body Painter 3.5%
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Cook 3.5%
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Painter 3.5%
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Team Leader 2.9%
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Carpenter 2.9%
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Auto Body Technician 10.1%
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Mechanic 7.7%
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Machine Operator 6.1%
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Sales Associate 6.1%
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Cashier 5.7%
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Owner 5.3%
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Driver 5.3%
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Forklift Operator 4.9%
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Painter 4.9%
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Technician 4.5%
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Manager 4.5%
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Supervisor 4.0%
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Welder 4.0%
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Server 4.0%
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Assistant Manager 3.6%
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Body Shop Manager 3.6%
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Body Technician 3.2%
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Operator 3.2%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Auto Body Worker
Top Careers After Auto Body Worker
Auto Body Worker Demographics
Gender
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Male
82.7% -
Female
16.3% -
Unknown
1.1%
Ethnicity
-
White
78.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
13.6% -
Asian
5.7% -
Unknown
2.2% -
Black or African American
0.5%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
58.3% -
Japanese
8.3% -
French
8.3% -
Hindi
8.3% -
Dutch
8.3% -
Arabic
8.3%
Auto Body Worker
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Auto Body Worker Education
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Central New Mexico Community College
8.1% -
Pikes Peak Community College
8.1% -
Austin Peay State University
5.4% -
Wayne State University
5.4% -
Brick Computer Science Institute
5.4% -
Pierce College at Puyallup
5.4% -
Kaplan University
5.4% -
Tri-County Technical College
5.4% -
Orange Coast College
5.4% -
Universal Technical Institute
5.4% -
Southwestern Illinois College
5.4% -
Ridgewater College
5.4% -
Grayson College
5.4% -
Northampton County Area Community College
5.4% -
WyoTech - Laramie
5.4% -
Chaffey College
2.7% -
Dakota County Technical College
2.7% -
Saint Louis Community College
2.7% -
Columbus State Community College
2.7% -
Rowan University
2.7% -
Automotive Technology 25.8%
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Business 17.0%
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General Studies 9.4%
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Criminal Justice 6.3%
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Psychology 5.0%
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Education 4.4%
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Management 3.1%
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Elementary Education 3.1%
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-
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Biology 1.9%
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Computer Networking 1.9%
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General Sales 1.9%
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Nursing 1.9%
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Liberal Arts 1.9%
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Apparel And Textiles 1.3%
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Other
50.0% -
Bachelors
17.2% -
Associate
14.7% -
Certificate
12.2% -
Diploma
3.4% -
Masters
2.5%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Auto Body Worker
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Auto Body Worker Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Body Worker | United Auto Center | Baltimore, MD | Sep 11, 2008 | $48,752 |
| Auto Body Worker | United Auto Center | Baltimore, MD | Apr 15, 2011 | $46,457 |
| Auto Body and Frame Technitian | Montebello Auto Craft Inc. | Montebello, CA | Jun 13, 2016 | $46,114 |
| Auto Body Worker | Matrix Collision Repair Facility | Los Angeles, CA | Apr 23, 2008 | $45,157 |
| Auto Body Man | J.L. Knapp Enterprises, Inc. (DBA Pro Star Collision) | Mesquite, TX | Jul 24, 2008 | $43,326 |
| Auto Body Man | J.L. Knapp Enterprises, Inc. (DBA Pro Star Collision) | Mesquite, TX | Apr 07, 2008 | $43,326 |
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Top Skills for An Auto Body Worker
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Top Auto Body Worker Skills
- Auto Body Mechanics
- Wet Sand Areas
- Prep
- Sprayed prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
- Ensured shop safety by maintaining equipment, cleanliness, etc.
- Worked with customers in estimating and processing repairs with their vehicles and coordinated repairs with the customer's insurance companies
- Provide Customer Service to clients during drop off and pickup.
- Provide auto body shop repair estimates for customers seeking auto body repairs.
Top Auto Body Worker Employers
Detailer
Red Rock Job Corps Center
Bookeeper Estimate Car Repairs and orders parts
poage/clarks/yrs ago detailHarris Cad olds
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