The Seattle Times Company

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October 9, 2009

Automotive service technicians use broader skills as cars grow more sophisticated

Outlook: Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase 14 percent over the 2006-16 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Pay: The 6,300 automotive service technicians in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area earned a median wage of $43,870 in 2008.

The job: Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain and repair cars and trucks that run on gasoline, electricity or alternative fuels such as ethanol. The increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. As a result, automotive service workers are now usually called technicians rather than mechanics.

Training/licensing: Most employers regard the successful completion of a vocational training program in automotive service technology as the best preparation for trainee positions. Graduates of these programs may need further training to become qualified.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Is your pay competitive? Find out by using our Salary Wizard.

Read more: Jobs in Demand

3 Comments

Thank you. I like your content. Very nice

automotive mechanics are poor!!!!!!!!!
i wanted to be one till i saw the wages!

By becoming skilled in multiple auto repair services, technicians can increase their value to their employer and their pay.

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