Auto Body Technician

The Scoop on the Auto Body Technician Profession

If you're a creative person who has a love for cars, a job as an auto body technician might be for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2004 to 2014 this type of work is projected to experience a 9 to 17 percent growth in employment opportunities.

What Do They Do?
Auto body technicians' work focuses on vehicle restoration, doing the following:

Restoring damaged vehicles to their pre-damaged conditions
Cutting away damaged parts and welding in replacements
Ensuring that the suspension and steering mechanisms are aligned
Installing hoods, glass, doors, and interior components
Verifying dimensional accuracy, system functions, passenger protection, and test-driving the vehicle

Additionally, auto body technicians earn anywhere from $26,000 to $46,000 per year.

What Skills Do They Need?
To be a skilled auto body technician, you should possess these traits:

Strength
Manual dexterity
Creativity
Patience
Good reading ability
Basic math and computer skills
Customer service skills

Auto Body Technician Education
If you feel that your math, computer, or customer service skills aren't up to par, don't worry! There are plenty of auto body repair schools available to prepare you as a fully skilled auto body technician. Benefits of these schools include the following:

Formal and hands-on training in all phases of auto body mechanics
Education in writing, communication, math, and computer basics
Training on the use of tools, up-to-date materials, and methods for finding and fixing damages

With the correct training, it's possible for you to have a rewarding career as an auto body technician.
Sources: dcc.vccs.edu, bls.gov, caldwell.cc.nc.us

Schools are listed in alphabetical order by state then city.

New England Institute of Technology

[Warwick, RI]

Get your career on the right track with New England Institute of Technology. We are a private, co-educational technical college offering more than 30 associate, bachelor's and master’s degree programs in the technical, industrial, business, and allied health fields. Most of our associate degree programs can be completed in as little as 18 months, and bachelor's degree programs in as little as three years.
Programs:
  Auto Body Technology
  Automotive Technology
  Marine Technology
  Plumbing/Heating Technology
  Refrigeration/Air Conditioning/Heating/Gas Technology
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Universal Technical Institute - Texas Campus

[Houston, TX]

Put your career in gear with Universal Technical Institute (UTI), an ASE/NATEF Master Certified provider of post-secondary technical education training. Receive the training you need for a career as an automotive, diesel or collision repair technician in as little as a year.

Interested in furthering your education? Contact us for information about the Custom Training Group of UTI. This includes manufacturer-specific, advanced training programs with Audi, BMW, International Truck, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo. (Available only to those who qualify. Programs vary by location.)
Programs:
  Automotive Technician Training
  Automotive/Diesel and Industrial Technician Training
  Automotive/Diesel Technician Training
  Collision Repair & Refinishing
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