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Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $54,890 Median per year · $26.39/hr Most earn $36,910–$87,940

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
  • Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
  • Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
  • Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
  • Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
  • Replace damaged glass on vehicles.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 12,600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair59.9%
  • Automobile dealers15.8%
  • Self-employed (their own business)8.5%
  • Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance6.4%
  • Motor vehicle manufacturing2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: Up to 1 month

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: Up to 1 monthEntry-level

Automotive body repair is an entry-level job. Most people can start right after high school, with only a short period of on-the-job learning, usually under a month of prior experience. Skills build over the first few years.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school, and take auto shop, drafting, or welding classes if your school offers them, to learn basic tools and how vehicles are built.

  2. Automotive Body and Related Repairer

    Less than 1 month of prior experience, then on-the-job learning

    Start in a body shop, where you learn to straighten frames, fix dents, fill, prime, and paint vehicles while working alongside experienced technicians.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Auto Body Technician

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on harder repairs, check the work of others, and help train new technicians. Strong skills in estimating damage and using computerized paint matching help you move up.

  2. Body Shop Supervisor

    5-8 years of experience first

    You schedule jobs, manage a team, check quality, and keep customers and insurance adjusters informed. Good communication and organization matter as much as repair skill here.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take auto shop or collision repair classesHands-on classes teach you the basics of vehicle structure, tools, and safety before you ever apply for a job.
  • Take welding, drafting, or basic mathWelding helps with metal repair, drafting helps you read diagrams, and math helps with measurements and estimates.
  • Join a career or technical student organizationGroups like SkillsUSA-style clubs, where your school has them, offer practice with real skills and competitions.
  • Work a part-time job at a car wash or detailing shopYou will learn how to care for vehicle surfaces and interact with customers, and it builds a work record.
  • Ask a local body shop about job shadowingSeeing the work up close helps you decide if it is right for you, and it can lead to a future job lead.

In college

  • Enroll in an auto collision repair programA community college or technical school program teaches frame straightening, refinishing, and shop safety in a structured way.
  • Work a summer job or internship at a body shopReal shop experience helps you learn faster and makes your résumé stronger when you apply for full-time work.
  • Earn a welding or paint certification if your school offers oneCertifications show employers you have specific, tested skills.
  • Practice estimating and customer communicationShops value technicians who can explain repairs clearly, so take a public speaking or customer service class if available.
  • Join an automotive club or SkillsUSA-style groupClubs offer hands-on projects, competitions, and connections with local shop owners.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for a part-time job or summer job at a car wash, detailing shop, or body shop. Even sweeping floors and sanding parts shows employers you are reliable and interested.
  • Get comfortable with hand and power tools, and take safety training when you can. Body work involves welding, grinding, and paint fumes, so employers value people who work safely.
  • Keep a simple photo portfolio of any car, bike, or project you have helped repair or paint. It helps when you apply for your first job.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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