What does an automotive repair technician do?
An automotive repair technician specializes in repairing and maintaining automotive equipment and systems. Part of their job requires them to communicate with clients to identify their needs, inspect the vehicles, conduct diagnostic and emission tests, troubleshoot problems, and replace or fix components as necessary. They also provide clients with cost estimates, discuss the extent of damages and needed repairs, and recommend other options or services. Moreover, as an automotive repair technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth workflow.
Automotive repair technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real automotive repair technician resumes:
- Manage customer accounts from initial diagnosis and estimate to final invoicing.
- Acquire ASE certification in brakes as well.
- Monitor and analyze laser performance with respect to power, beam quality and atmospheric sodium return and communicates laser.
- Download required software for programming and diagnostics to load on correct PC.
- Diagnose, upgrade and repair PC and Macintosh computers, printers and laptops.
- Communicate with users to remotely resolve windows software problems.
- Preform repairs in a quick and efficient manor.
Automotive repair technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Automotive Repair Technicians are proficient in Diagnosis, Professional Work, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Automotive Repair Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Diagnosis, 18%
Performed Automotive electronic diagnosis from relay testing, full wire resistance check to sensor ohms & repaired accordingly.
- Professional Work, 14%
Cleaned up shop and organized tooling to maintain a professional work area.
- Hand Tools, 11%
Serviced all automotive systems and used extensively necessary diagnostic and repair equipment that includes test machines and hand tools.
- Customer Service, 10%
Inventory, Billing, Payments, Delivery, and ReceivingPrepare and repair body damage, Customer Service and Quality Control
- ABS, 7%
Engaged in ABS diagnosis and repair.
- ASE, 6%
Received Ford sponsored training; obtained ASE certifications.
Common skills that an automotive repair technician uses to do their job include "diagnosis," "professional work," and "hand tools." You can find details on the most important automotive repair technician responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an automotive repair technician to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "service technicians discuss automotive problems—along with options to fix them—with their customers." Automotive repair technicians often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "repaired customer's vehicles helped customers understand their vehicles delivered and picked up parts for surrounding shops maintained shop equipment"
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform automotive repair technician duties is detail oriented. Automotive repair technicians responsibilities require that "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." Automotive repair technicians also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "oil changes, tune ups, detailing interiors and exterior as needed after repair jobs are completed. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of automotive repair technicians is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday automotive repair technician duties, as "service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand–eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "experienced in hand tools, power tools, and power lifts. "
Organizational skills. For certain automotive repair technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of an automotive repair technician rely on this skill, as "service technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability of parts." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what automotive repair technicians do: "aquired more knowledge and organizational skills working under the supervision of a master tech. "
Physical strength. Another crucial skill for an automotive repair technician to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what automotive repair technicians relies on this skill, since "service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts such as engines and body panels." How this skill relates to automotive repair technician duties can be seen in an example from an automotive repair technician resume snippet: "provision virtual and physical servers with windows, linux, and esx. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another skill commonly found on automotive repair technician job descriptions is "troubleshooting skills." It can come up quite often in automotive repair technician duties, since "service technicians use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in increasingly complicated mechanical and electronic systems." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day automotive repair technician responsibilities: "diagnose drivability concerns using computerized diagnostic equipment general mechanical repair electrical system troubleshooting and repair (schematic and trouble tree). "
The three companies that hire the most automotive repair technicians are:
- Dent Wizard157 automotive repair technicians jobs
- AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah18 automotive repair technicians jobs
- AAA Systems3 automotive repair technicians jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable automotive repair technician resume templates
Build a professional automotive repair technician resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your automotive repair technician resume.
Compare different automotive repair technicians
Automotive repair technician vs. Mechanical detailer
Unlike front-end specialists that have to specialize in the repair of just one system in a vehicle, front-end mechanics perform essential care and maintenance in a vehicle. Their job ranges from changing oil, checking out fluid levels, and rotating tires to fixing or replacing worn-out parts in a vehicle such as brake pads, wheel bearings, and sensors. As a front-end mechanic, you have the responsibility to perform repairs in agreement with the manufacturer and customer specifications. Also, you have to explain automotive problems and repairs to your clients.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, automotive repair technician responsibilities require skills like "diagnosis," "strong work ethic," "traction," and "professional work." Meanwhile a typical mechanical detailer has skills in areas such as "customer vehicles," "cad," "solidworks," and "shop drawings." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Mechanical detailers tend to reach similar levels of education than automotive repair technicians. In fact, mechanical detailers are 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Automotive repair technician vs. Front end mechanic
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real automotive repair technician resumes. While automotive repair technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "diagnosis," "strong work ethic," "traction," and "professional work," front end mechanics use skills like "front end," "service desk," "javascript," and "groceries."
Front end mechanics earn similar levels of education than automotive repair technicians in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for automotive repair technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Trish Serratore
Senior VP Communications, ASE
Automotive repair technician vs. Instrument technician apprentice
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, automotive repair technicians are more likely to have skills like "strong work ethic," "traction," "professional work," and "customer service." But a instrument technician apprentice is more likely to have skills like "osha," "cleanliness," "customer vehicles," and "good communication."
Instrument technician apprentices earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $38,671. Automotive repair technicians earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $41,431.Most instrument technician apprentices achieve a similar degree level compared to automotive repair technicians. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Automotive repair technician vs. Transmission technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between automotive repair technicians and transmission technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an automotive repair technician might have more use for skills like "strong work ethic," "traction," "professional work," and "abs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of transmission technicians require skills like "chrysler," "diesel engines," "dyno," and "manual transmission. "
Transmission technicians reach similar levels of education compared to automotive repair technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of automotive repair technician
Updated January 8, 2025
