Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
You will need to have customer-service skills, detail-oriented, dexterity, mechanical skills, organizational skills, physical strength, and troubleshooting skills.
Annual Wage
Entry - $27,201
Mean - $40,893
Experienced - $47,738
Hourly Wage
Entry - $13
Mean - $19
Experienced - $23
Employers prefer that automotive service technicians and mechanics complete a program at a postsecondary institution. Industry certification is usually required once the person is employed.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all technicians who buy or work with refrigerants to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. No formal test preparation is required, but many trade schools, unions, and employer associations offer training programs designed for the EPA exam.
Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the standard credential for service technicians. Certification demonstrates competence and usually brings higher pay. Many employers require their service technicians to become certified.
To become certified, technicians must have at least 2 years of experience (or relevant schooling and 1 year of experience) and pass an exam. Technicians who achieve certification in all of the foregoing areas (light vehicle diesel engine certification is not required) may earn ASE Master Technician status.
There are 6,610 projected job openings in Texas this year!
