Automotive Technician Career

Automobiles have contributed in several ways to the development of the culture and economies of nations. Better transportation network means easier accessibility to information and other agents of change and development. Millions of people worldwide depend directly on the automobile industry as a source of sustenance. It also provides jobs for several service and support industries, one of which is an automotive technician career.

Who is an Automotive Technician?

An automotive technician can be described as an individual trained in the accurate inspection, maintenance, support, and repair of automobiles fueled by gas, electricity and other energy sources. An automotive technician is integral and valuable to the automobile industry because of the important responsibility of ensuring that vehicles are kept in conditions that support optimal performance.

Automotive Technician Job Duties

An automotive technician’s duties involves simple maintenance tasks that keep automobiles functioning properly such as ensuring that the oil is changed to complex tasks such as figuring out the problems with different types of automobiles and fixing these problems in order to restore them to optimal performance through the use of often technical systems and methods.

Automotive Technician Skills

Certain skills are required in order to make a success of an automotive technician career. An automotive technician must possess astute reasoning and analytical skills in addition to attention to details. The individual will also benefit from computer and mathematical aptitude in order to figure out often complex and technical manuals. A thorough knowledge of automobiles is also essential.

Automotive Technician Education

To make a success out of an automotive technician career today would be impossible without some sort of formal training. This is due to the upsurge in the use of complex technologies for manufacturing automobiles. An automotive training program in technical or vocational institutions and high schools in addition to intensive practical training and in some cases, professional ASM certification are often required.

Automotive Technician Salary

According to a May 2009 survey, the average or median annual wage of an automotive technician is $35,420. The top ten percent of automotive technicians earns over $59,920 and the lowest ten percent earns $19,840.; others earned between $25,970 and $47,240. These figures are earned annually. Depending on place or work, additional remunerations exist in the form of commissions.

Automotive Technician Job Outlook

Admittedly, the growth rate for a career as an automotive technician is not as high for other industries. Nevertheless, the job prospect, outlook and employment potential are still positive. A lot of technicians are expected to retire thereby creating openings for others. Additionally, the number of automobiles in the country is expected to increase and so will the demand for automotive technicians.

A career as an automotive technician can be very challenging and rewarding due to the fact that you have to constantly stay updated with the technological advancements that take place in the industry and how they are applied in the vehicles in order to properly ascertain problems and also provide appropriate solutions.