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Body technician vs body shop technician

The differences between body technicians and body shop technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a body shop technician has an average salary of $42,116, which is higher than the $39,798 average annual salary of a body technician.

The top three skills for a body technician include customer satisfaction, hand tools and OSHA. The most important skills for a body shop technician are body shop, OSHA, and refinish.

Body technician vs body shop technician overview

Body TechnicianBody Shop Technician
Yearly salary$39,798$42,116
Hourly rate$19.13$20.25
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs29,46040,107
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a body technician do?

In the automotive industry, a body technician specializes in repairing and maintaining vehicle interior and exterior. They enhance or develop new vehicles or restore and repair existing ones. Their job includes conducting inspections to assess the extent of damages, test engines, troubleshoot issues, replace or fix components, perform adjustments, and maintain records. They also work on a vehicles' exterior by changing tires, fixing dents, building frames, and installing windshields or windows. Moreover, they assist clients by answering inquiries, providing cost estimates, discussing procedures, and offering services.

What does a body shop technician do?

A body shop technician specializes in repairing and restoring the exteriors of vehicles. It is their responsibility to assess vehicle damage reports, conduct inspections, develop plans, provide cost estimates, remove damaged parts and attach new ones, realign frames and structures, perform installations and upgrades, and refinish surfaces. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing them with vehicle care advice, and recommending upgrades. Moreover, a body shop technician typically works in a group setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Body technician vs body shop technician salary

Body technicians and body shop technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Body TechnicianBody Shop Technician
Average salary$39,798$42,116
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $58,000Between $26,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-Middletown, CT
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-DATTCO
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between body technician and body shop technician education

There are a few differences between a body technician and a body shop technician in terms of educational background:

Body TechnicianBody Shop Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Body technician vs body shop technician demographics

Here are the differences between body technicians' and body shop technicians' demographics:

Body TechnicianBody Shop Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 1.7% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between body technician and body shop technician duties and responsibilities

Body technician example responsibilities.

  • Attain ICAR and ASE master technician status.
  • Perform MIG and TIG welding.
  • Mix and apply primer coats to vehicles.
  • Perform Tig and Mig welding and utilize pneumatic tools.
  • Sheet metal replacement and frame rail sectioning and UHSS replacement.
  • Order parts, work with bondo and fiberglass, prep body for paint, detailing
  • Show more

Body shop technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform panel repairs all around with the use of bondo and glaze.
  • Have worked with everything from bondo and paint prep all the way to welding support pieces together.
  • Maintain a safe, clean work area and follow all establish safety guidelines, ensuring conformance with OSHA.
  • Complete prep and refinish to factory or customer specifications.
  • Enter invoices electronically using CCC one and store invoices inside their specific file.

Body technician vs body shop technician skills

Common body technician skills
  • Customer Satisfaction, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Body Shop, 6%
  • Repair Process, 5%
  • Repair Procedures, 5%
Common body shop technician skills
  • Body Shop, 24%
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Refinish, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Repair Orders, 6%

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