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Automotive Body Repairer

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What Does it Take to Be an Automotive Body Repairer?

Automotive Body Repairer Example Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Life As an Automotive Body Repairer

  • Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
  • Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
  • Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
  • Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  • Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
  • Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.

Automotive Body Repairer Needed Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Automotive Body Repairers say are important on the job.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Types of Automotive Body Repairer

  • Painter and Body Work
  • Automotive Painter
  • Dinger
  • Fiberglass Autobody Repairer
  • Body Builder Apprentice

Job Demand for Automotive Body Repairers

There were about 160,400 jobs for Automotive Body Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 13,700 new jobs for Automotive Body Repairer by 2026. The BLS estimates 17,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Automotive Body Repairer are Utah, Washington, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Maine, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Automotive Body Repairer Average Salary

The salary for Automotive Body Repairers ranges between about $25,960 and $71,970 a year.

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Automotive Body Repairers who work in Alaska, Hawaii, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Automotive Body Repairers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $42,960
Alaska $61,440
Arizona $48,740
Arkansas $41,500
California $51,320
Colorado $49,410
Connecticut $50,970
Delaware $41,230
District of Columbia $45,800
Florida $41,600
Georgia $47,460
Hawaii $51,230
Idaho $45,270
Illinois $46,690
Indiana $41,910
Iowa $41,730
Kansas $41,350
Kentucky $43,540
Louisiana $41,870
Maine $38,200
Maryland $53,340
Massachusetts $50,790
Michigan $48,430
Minnesota $46,730
Mississippi $41,520
Missouri $47,640
Montana $43,460
Nebraska $42,290
Nevada $42,660
New Hampshire $45,660
New Jersey $49,180
New Mexico $39,180
New York $46,460
North Carolina $50,950
North Dakota $52,320
Ohio $43,230
Oklahoma $38,400
Oregon $43,410
Pennsylvania $46,080
Rhode Island $48,460
South Carolina $40,280
South Dakota $40,140
Tennessee $41,180
Texas $45,910
Utah $42,120
Vermont $43,540
Virginia $53,060
Washington $53,530
West Virginia $37,800
Wisconsin $43,970
Wyoming $47,190

What Tools & Technology do Automotive Body Repairers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Body Repairers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Inventory management software
  • Accounting software
  • Palm OS
  • Accounts receivable software
  • Materials management software
  • AutoZone ALLDATA

Becoming an Automotive Body Repairer

Learn what Automotive Body Repairer education requirements there are.

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What work experience do I need to become an Automotive Body Repairer?

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Where Automotive Body Repairers Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming an Automotive Body Repairer might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as an Automotive Body Repairer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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