How To Become An In Shop Service Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an in shop service technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

The in shop service technician is in charge of inspecting, maintaining, and repairing cars, trucks, and other types of light vehicles. They may hold different job titles, including automotive technician, auto technician, auto mechanic, and service technician, among others.

An in shop service technician uses their mechanical skills and knowledge to diagnose vehicle problems and apply appropriate techniques to solve them. They also conduct preventive maintenance to catch potential problems before they even occur. Moreover, an in shop service technician is responsible for explaining vehicle issues to customers so that they will understand why certain repairs need to be done and what customers should do to avoid problems in the future.

When hiring for this role, most employers require a high school diploma or GED, as well as completion of training or apprenticeship in automotive repair. Basic recordkeeping skills and customer service skills are also common qualifications for this role. More than that, an in shop service technician must be physically able to lift heavy objects, work in cramped spaces, and stay in awkward positions for long periods at a time.

ScoreIn Shop Service TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $44,102

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.75%

Asian 1.74%

Black or African American 5.37%

Hispanic or Latino 16.63%

Unknown 3.80%

White 71.71%

Gender

female 6.90%

male 93.10%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an in shop service technician

Explore in shop service technician education requirements

Most common in shop service technician degrees

Associate

28.3 %

High School Diploma

28.3 %

Bachelor's

23.6 %

Start to develop specific in shop service technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	27.66%
Diagnosis	10.95%
Hand Tools	7.08%
Customer Equipment	4.89%
End Loaders	4.84%

Complete relevant in shop service technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New in shop service technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an in shop service technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real in shop service technician resumes.

Research in shop service technician duties and responsibilities

Assist technicians with vehicle diagnosis issues.
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Used MIG gun arc to melt and deposit metal from electrode to work pieces.

Prepare your in shop service technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your in shop service technician resume.

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