With more vehicles on the road every day, automotive mechanics and technicians can look forward to a steady demand for their services for years to come. Find out how you can benefit from this growth trend.

By Amelia Gray
RWM Columnist
July 23, 2006

Do your friends come to you for advice on oil changes and fluid leaks? Is your garage papered with the four-wheeled centerfolds from Car and Driver? Your love of all things automotive plus a degree from an automotive program may translate into one of several lucrative careers.

Automotive Career Possibilities

Automotive Service Mechanics

Automotive mechanics combine their knowledge of cars with the latest technology to diagnose and solve automotive problems.

Training: Employers expect automotive service mechanics to have high school training or a degree from an automotive mechanics program.

Average Salaries for Automotive Mechanics:

• New York, NY:   $36,900
• Los Angeles, CA:   $35,200
• Detroit, MI:   $34,500
• Seattle, WA:   $34,300
• Chicago, IL:   $33,600
• Houston, TX:   $32,300
• Miami, FL:   $31,200
• Phoenix, AZ:   $31,100

Motor Vehicle and Parts Manufacturing

The automotive industry relies on manufacturers to assemble every vehicle on the road today.

Training: Employers may pay for additional training in automotive programs, sometimes leading to associate's or bachelor's degrees.

Average Salaries for Automotive Manufacturing Jobs:

• New York, NY:   $31,600
• Los Angeles, CA:   $30,200
• Detroit, MI:   $29,600
• Seattle, WA:   $29,400
• Chicago, IL:   $28,800
• Houston, TX:   $27,700
• Miami, FL:   $26,700
• Phoenix, AZ:   $26,700

Diesel Service Mechanics

This career will have you working with diesel-powered cranes, trucks, and boats.

Training: Any automotive program degree is a good start for this career, but specialized diesel mechanic's training may give you the edge.

Average Salaries for Diesel Mechanics:

• New York, NY:   $46,000
• Los Angeles, CA:   $43,800
• Detroit, MI:   $43,000
• Seattle, WA:   $42,700
• Chicago, IL:   $41,900
• Houston, TX:   $40,300
• Miami, FL:   $38,800
• Phoenix, AZ:   $38,800

Small Engine Mechanics

On the small engine side, you'll find yourself doing detailed mechanic's work on motorcycles, motorboats, and the small engines in snowmobiles.

Training: As small engines increase in complexity, employers may prefer to hire mechanics with formal automotive training.

Average Salaries for Small Engine Mechanics:

• New York, NY:   $32,100
• Los Angeles, CA:   $30,700
• Detroit, MI:   $30,000
• Seattle, WA:   $29,900
• Chicago, IL:   $29,300
• Houston, TX:   $28,200
• Miami, FL:   $27,200
• Phoenix, AZ:   $27,100

Automotive Glass Mechanics

Automotive glass repair mechanics are most concerned with reversing the structural damage that accidents create.

Training: As this career grows in sophistication, you may need an automotive program degree to prove you've got what it takes.

Average Salaries for Automotive Glass Mechanics:

• New York, NY:   $50,900
• Los Angeles, CA:   $48,600
• Detroit, MI:   $47,600
• Seattle, WA:   $47,400
• Chicago, IL:   $46,400
• Houston, TX:   $44,600
• Miami, FL:   $43,100
• Phoenix, AZ:   $43,000

Automotive Claims Adjuster

In this career, you'll use your knowledge of cars to inspect damaged vehicles and determine repair costs.

Training: Employers may require a bachelor's degree in a related field; automotive or engineering degree training may give you the edge.

Average Salaries for Automotive Claims Adjusters:

• New York, NY:   $43,600
• Los Angeles, CA:   $41,700
• Detroit, MI:   $40,800
• Seattle, WA:   $40,600
• Chicago, IL:   $39,800
• Houston, TX:   $38,300
• Miami, FL:   $36,900
• Phoenix, AZ:   $36,800

All of the above jobs are expected to grow at or above the average job growth rate over the next ten years.

The automotive industry is still a highly competitive field, and workers holding degrees with automotive programs may have an advantage over their competition.

Sources
Salary Search
The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.