Auto Body and Collision Repair Career

Overview

Auto body and collision repair technicians inspect, repair, and refinish damaged vehicles. They use a variety of tools and techniques to restore vehicles to their pre-accident condition.

Auto body and collision repair technicians typically work in auto body shops or dealerships. They may also work for insurance companies or government agencies.

Job Duties

Auto body and collision repair technicians typically perform the following duties:

Inspect damaged vehicles to assess the extent of the damage
Repair or replace damaged parts
Refinish damaged areas
Align and adjust vehicle components
Inspect and repair electrical systems
Work with insurance companies to estimate and approve repairs

Education and Training

Most auto body and collision repair technicians learn their trade through a combination of formal training and on-the-job experience.

Formal training programs are typically offered at vocational schools or community colleges. These programs typically last for one to two years and cover a variety of topics, including:

Vehicle construction
Welding and metalworking
Painting and refinishing
Electrical systems
Customer service

On-the-job training typically involves working under the supervision of an experienced auto body and collision repair technician.

Certification

Certification is not required for auto body and collision repair technicians, but it can be a valuable credential. Certification demonstrates that a technician has the knowledge and skills to perform their job safely and effectively.

Several organizations offer certification programs for auto body and collision repair technicians. These organizations include:

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR)
Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF)

Career Outlook

The job outlook for auto body and collision repair technicians is expected to be good over the next few years. As the number of vehicles on the road increases, so will the demand for technicians to repair and refinish them.

The median annual salary for auto body and collision repair technicians was $49,520 in May 2021. The top 10% of earners made more than $82,150, while the bottom 10% earned less than $28,090.

Several other careers are related to auto body and collision repair. These careers include: