Car Repair Careers
Automobiles are in constant need of care and repair. With this need comes demand for the many careers in auto repair. Some repair fields are more common and desirable than others, but all are necessary to keep cars on the road.
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Powertrain
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The engine of a car has dozens of moving parts that can go bad at any time. Powertrain mechanics maintain and fix these vehicles, whether they have a blown head gasket, a bad timing belt or anything else that can go wrong with a vehicle's engine. Powertrain mechanics work in dealership repair shops, foreign or domestic vehicle specialized shops or a privately owned general repair shop. Salaries for an employee in this field can make anywhere from minimum wage for an entry-level position to $25 per hour for a more experienced mechanic.
Drivetrain
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A vehicle's drivetrain includes all moving parts from the transmission to the axles. Most commonly, the transmission and the differential are the parts in the drivetrain that need attention and repair. Drivetrain repair shops often operate mostly as transmission repair or replacement specialists. At these shops, you could expect to be working on the precision inner-workings of manual and automatic transmissions. Transmission techs can $10 to $28 per hour, depending on experience.
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Auto Body
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As long as there have been automobiles on the road, there have been auto collisions. The job of auto-body repair is to fix or replace any body damage on a vehicle. Many schools offer programs in auto-body repair, and career opportunities are abundant with privately owned shops or shops that specialize in insurance repairs. Wages for someone who performs auto body repair will range from $10 to $20 per hour.
Interior
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Auto interiors tend to wear and deteriorate over time. Interior repair pertains to the cloth or leather seats and the vinyl or leather trim material. Even if properly maintained, these materials will wear over the life of the vehicle. Interior-repair shops are usually privately owned, and training schools are scarce. Most find their way into this industry through apprenticeships. An aptitude for sewing is a valued quality for careers in this field. An apprentice should not expect more than minimum wage, or sometimes an unpaid internship. An experienced interior fabricator can expect to make from $15 to $20 per hour.
Brakes, Lube & Oil
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Shops that specialize in these areas are commonly franchised. Schooling in automotive repair would help, but often a career in lube and oil does not require formal training. Ownership of a franchised lube business is also an option. Employees at a shop like this could expect to mostly be changing motor oil and other lubricants, and performing brake-pad replacement. Entry-level employees will typically make minimum wage, but managers may make $25 per hour.
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