Automotive Body and Related Repairers

At a Glance

Median Salary
$42,720

Local Jobs
281

Entry-Level Education
High School

Occupation Profile

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$42,720

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

281

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

High School

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

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.
Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Automotive Body and Related Repairers?

Hard Skills

Hazardous Waste Disposal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Painting
Power Tool Operation
Product Knowledge
Production Management
Safety Standards
Sander (Metalworking Tools)
Soldering
Workflow Management

Soft Skills

Communications
Customer Service
Defensive Driving
Detail Oriented
Good Driving Record
Multitasking
Operations
Quality Control
Team Leadership
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

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