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