Career Overview
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
Also Known As
- Automotive Detailer (Auto Detailer)
- Car Washer
- Detailer
- Reconditioner
Alternate Job Titles
- Aircraft Cabin Cleaner
- Aircraft Cleaner
- Aircraft Detailer
- Airplane Cleaner
- Apparatus Cleaner
- Apron Cleaner
- Assembly Cleaner
- Automat Car Attendant
- Automatic Car Wash Attendant
- Automobile Detailer
- Automotive Cleaner (Auto Cleaner)
- Automotive Detailer (Auto Detailer)
- Automotive Polisher (Auto Polisher)
- Automotive Porter (Auto Porter)
- Automotive Wash Buffer (Auto Wash Buffer)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Rinse objects and place them on drying racks or use cloth, squeegees, or air compressors to dry surfaces.
- Apply paints, dyes, polishes, reconditioners, waxes, or masking materials to vehicles to preserve, protect, or restore color or condition.
- Clean and polish vehicle windows.
- Drive vehicles to or from workshops or customers' workplaces or homes.
- Scrub, scrape, or spray machine parts, equipment, or vehicles, using scrapers, brushes, clothes, cleaners, disinfectants, insecticides, acid, abrasives, vacuums, or hoses.
- Inspect parts, equipment, or vehicles for cleanliness, damage, and compliance with standards or regulations.
- Mix cleaning solutions, abrasive compositions, or other compounds, according to formulas.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Extent Flexibility
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Problem Sensitivity
- Stamina
- Trunk Strength
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
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 Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Air blowers
- Car polishers
- Car vacuums
- Carpet dirt extractors
- Cleaning scrapers
- Dashboard brushes
- Detail brushes
- Digital tire pressure gauges
- Foam wash guns
- Gas powered generators
- Handheld digital thermometers
- High pressure water hoses
- Hot air guns
- Paint thickness gauges
- Pneumatic sanders
Work Environment
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $26,740 |
| Median | $35,270 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $47,150 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 373,960
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,800
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,460
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $35,930
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,140
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
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: $60,500
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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.