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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $32K
Median Salary: $44K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $58K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $71K
Demand
Core Tasks
Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
Align vehicles' front ends.
Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
Maintain cleanliness of work area.
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks.
Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions.
Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mechanical
95%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
72%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics
68%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
65%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology
64%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
59%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
57%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Education and Training
55%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security
53%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Design
51%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Top 10 Skills
Repairing
80%
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
77%
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operations Monitoring
74%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment Maintenance
73%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Operation and Control
73%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking
72%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis
68%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Selection
67%
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Judgment and Decision Making
67%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Listening
65%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
78%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Finger Dexterity
78%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
78%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
77%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Multilimb Coordination
74%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Deductive Reasoning
73%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Extent Flexibility
73%
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Inductive Reasoning
73%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity
73%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
86%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
85%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
84%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
82%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
80%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Handling and Moving Objects
79%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
76%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Performing General Physical Activities
75%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
74%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
Inspect vehicles to determine overall condition.
Record information about parts, materials or repair procedures.
Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Estimate costs for labor or materials.
Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities.
Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
Align equipment or machinery.
Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
Reassemble equipment after repair.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Plan work procedures.
Clean work areas.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Disassemble equipment to inspect for deficiencies.
Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Rebuild parts or components.
Inspect gas systems or components to identify leaks or other potential hazards.
Majors
Major
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
50%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
43%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
36%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
17%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
89%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
85%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
81%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
79%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Independence
76%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
76%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort
75%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
75%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Self Control
75%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
75%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Work Values
Independence
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Support
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
55%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
52%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
