Why Earn a Diploma in Auto Body Repair?
Career Possibilities:
Due to automobile designers' use of advanced lightweight materials, demand for educated body techs will increase. Because of the ever-expanding population of drivers on the road, more car bodies will need repair and maintenance as they age, deteriorate, and are damaged in collisions.
Auto body repair technicians will find opportunities in dealerships, private garages, paint and body shops and large commercial fleets. While there are few opportunities in rebuilding and restoration, there are still some small garages that do this kind of work and seek educated technicians. There are also opportunities in auto detailing and glass repair and replacement. Some graduates of auto body programs to on to open their own shops.
Specifics About the Degree:
Diploma programs in Auto Body Repair include a combination of formal training and hands-on instruction in:
- Basic auto maintenance
- Body work in various materials
- Painting and finishing
- Fiberglas and plastic fillers
- Frame repair
- Collision repair and replacement panels
Job applicants with formal training in auto body repair and refinishing will have the best opportunities and the best wages, and the field is expected to grow about as fast as average (www.bls.gov). A diploma graduate in auto body can expect to earn between about $9.50 and $28.00 per hour, depending on experience, education, and quality of work. Automobile dealers offered the best pay, at $28.45 per hour, and smaller repair shops offered about $16.00 per hour in wages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that one in ten auto body technicians will be employed in the auto glass field.
