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What is a service writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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A service writer works in the automotive industry, typically at a repair shop or dealership, to facilitate communication between customers and technicians. They greet customers, gather vehicle information, and create work orders for the technicians. Service writers also provide estimates for the cost of repairs and maintenance, as well as inform customers of any additional services needed. A service writer aims to ensure customer satisfaction by providing quality service and solutions.

ScoreService WriterUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $39,016

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.9

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 5.80%

Black or African American 10.64%

Hispanic or Latino 18.43%

Unknown 5.27%

White 59.17%

Gender

female 37.35%

male 62.65%

Age - 39
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 - 39
Stress level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a service writer?

Pros

  • Potential for good pay and benefits

  • Room for advancement within the industry

  • Opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment

  • Opportunity to work with a team and collaborate on solutions

  • Opportunity for job stability as vehicles always need maintenance

Cons

  • Must be able to handle high volumes of customer interactions, both in person and over the phone

  • May require working long hours or weekends

  • The job can be physically demanding, such as standing for long periods of time or lifting heavy objects

  • May need to deal with difficult coworkers or management

  • Can be repetitive work, such as scheduling appointments or filling out paperwork

Service writer career paths

Key steps to become a service writer

  1. Explore service writer education requirements

    Most common service writer degrees

    High School Diploma

    33.2 %

    Associate

    26.7 %

    Bachelor's

    23.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific service writer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service14.00%
    Repair Orders11.88%
    Warranty Claims6.75%
    Cleanliness6.74%
    Parts Inventory6.67%
  3. Complete relevant service writer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service writers 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 a service writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service writer resumes.
  4. Research service writer duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve certification in service writer sales (upselling )
    • Used SQL queries to report, analyze, and manage the ongoing Y2K research progress.
    • Prioritize and schedule service to residential customers for both HVAC and preventative maintenance.
    • Notify drivers via radio, cell phones, or GPS system.
  5. Prepare your service writer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your service writer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a service writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable service writer resume templates

    Build a professional service writer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your service writer resume.
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  6. Apply for service writer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a service writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first service writer job

Zippi

Are you a service writer?

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Average service writer salary

The average service writer salary in the United States is $39,016 per year or $19 per hour. Service writer salaries range between $24,000 and $61,000 per year.

Average service writer salary
$39,016 Yearly
$18.76 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do service writers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

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1 star

Service writer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Caring to the customer issues is what I do like first and the other thing it is a job that show determination level on the duty.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Helping people understand that they are not alone and to be able to help rebuild them inside and out.. It starts with understanding and compassion to let the victim/ survivor to know they have someone to reach out to.

Cons

Sometime me having to remember my trauma


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I like building relations with other companies, keeping customers satisfied and growing in all areas,


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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