What Do Automotive Engineering Technician Do?
Job Description & Duties Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Daily Life Of an Automotive Engineering Technician
- Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
- Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nano diesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.
- Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
- Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
- Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
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Things an Automotive Engineering Technician Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Automotive Engineering Technicians say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Other Automotive Engineering Technician Job Titles
- Durability Technician
- Automotive Engineering Technician
- Auto Design Checker
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
- Research Technician
Job Demand for Automotive Engineering Technicians
In the United States, there were 46,100 jobs for Automotive Engineering Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,300 new jobs for Automotive Engineering Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,200 positions for Automotive Engineering Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Automotive Engineering Technician are Utah, Connecticut, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Automotive Engineering Technician Make?
The average yearly salary of an Automotive Engineering Technician ranges between $34,900 and $85,430.

Automotive Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Automotive Engineering Technicians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $57,670 |
Alaska | $65,050 |
Arizona | $57,620 |
Arkansas | $53,860 |
California | $62,510 |
Colorado | $68,690 |
Connecticut | $69,900 |
District of Columbia | $55,820 |
Florida | $50,360 |
Georgia | $55,540 |
Idaho | $54,740 |
Illinois | $60,940 |
Indiana | $53,430 |
Iowa | $51,710 |
Kansas | $55,210 |
Kentucky | $50,510 |
Louisiana | $82,350 |
Maine | $62,720 |
Maryland | $61,790 |
Massachusetts | $60,100 |
Michigan | $55,470 |
Minnesota | $58,940 |
Mississippi | $61,630 |
Missouri | $51,850 |
Montana | $55,070 |
Nebraska | $56,070 |
Nevada | $67,610 |
New Hampshire | $55,160 |
New Jersey | $55,090 |
New Mexico | $79,530 |
New York | $60,000 |
North Carolina | $54,810 |
North Dakota | $59,350 |
Ohio | $54,660 |
Oklahoma | $58,630 |
Oregon | $51,860 |
Pennsylvania | $54,640 |
Rhode Island | $59,180 |
South Carolina | $58,790 |
South Dakota | $43,310 |
Tennessee | $55,730 |
Texas | $67,740 |
Utah | $54,060 |
Vermont | $53,420 |
Virginia | $60,860 |
Washington | $65,300 |
West Virginia | $54,950 |
Wisconsin | $52,140 |
What Tools do Automotive Engineering Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Engineering Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- IBM Notes
- Computer aided design CAD software
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Data acquisition software
- Autodesk Inventor
- Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
Becoming an Automotive Engineering Technician
What kind of Automotive Engineering Technician requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Automotive Engineering Technicians Work

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

References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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