Career Overview
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Also Known As
- Auto Body Man
- Automotive Body Technician (Auto Body Tech)
- Body Man
- Body Technician (Body Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- Auto Body Customizer
- Auto Body Detailer
- Auto Body Estimator (Automotive Body Estimator)
- Auto Body Man
- Auto Body Mechanic
- Auto Body Paint Prepper (Automotive Body Paint Prepper)
- Auto Body Paint Tech (Automotive Body Paint Technician)
- Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech)
- Auto Body Repairer
- Auto Body Repairman
- Auto Body Service Mechanic
- Auto Body Shop Tech (Automotive Body Shop Technician)
- Auto Body Straightener
- Auto Body Worker
- Auto Bumper Mechanic
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
- Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visualization
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Finger Dexterity
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Multilimb Coordination
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air chisels
- Air compressors
- Air hammers
- Air pressure gauges
- Alignment machines
- Alignment squares
- Anvils
- Blow torches
- Body saws
- Bondo spreaders
- Brazing equipment
- Buffing machines
- Calipers
Work Environment
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Time Pressure
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $36,390 |
| Median | $51,680 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $87,040 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 155,220
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $49,670
Rail Car Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,680
Tire Builders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $55,580
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $61,680
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $53,990
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.