Your Job Search Could End Here

Published December 6, 2022

Author

Abram Olmstead

Senior Director, Digital Media

703.760.7578

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With layoffs spiking across many industries (including in tech and media) and recession fears growing, many workers might be considering transitioning to a new career or industry right about now.

One attractive career idea—becoming an automotive service technician at one of America’s 16,752 new-car dealerships.

Today’s new cars last longer and are more technical than ever, which means that dealerships must rely on a well-trained, well-staffed parts and service department more than ever before.

Presently, there is a shortage of service techs in the automotive industry, leaving numerous positions available for individuals who don’t necessarily have college degrees and are looking for a secure and stable, high-earning career.

The average dealership technician in the United States today makes $61,067 in salary, plus benefits, and has great opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. Experienced technicians at franchised dealerships can make more than $100,000 annually and service managers can make even more.

Career Ideas: Making the Change

NADA’s 2019 #WomeninAutomotive video contest winner, Lisa Kowite is a great example of someone who found a fulfilling new career as a service technician. Kowite got her master’s degree in middle school education and taught English for eight years.

Burned out from teaching, Kowite enrolled in Durham Tech Automotive Systems Technology program and graduated in 2015 with an associate’s degree and “dove headfirst with no safety net into a new career as an automotive repair technician.”

Kowite started her new career at Johnson Lexus of Durham, North Carolina starting as an express service technician and moving up to a Lexus Certified Service Technician within a year. Now she is an instructor and the owner of Fired Up Automotive, an education program to help women and new drivers learn more about their vehicles and the automotive industry.

More Job Opportunities Ahead

Simply put: The service bay is where the jobs are. According to TechForce Foundation’s 2021 Supply & Demand Report, demand for technicians nearly doubled in the past year — from 136,503 in 2020 to 258,000 in 2021. Last year, demand outpaced supply by nearly three to one; now it is estimated to be five to one.

The good news is there are a number of ASE certified training facilities across the United States. In 2019, NADA Foundation launched its’ Workforce Initiative, which includes an interactive map of training and scholarship opportunities.

Find a Certified Training Program Near You:

Autry Technology Center

1201 West Willow Road
Enid, OK 73703
United States

Extensive training in leading-edge automotive diagnostic and repair techniques is offered in this program. Specialty areas covered are electrical systems, brakes, steering, suspension, AC/heating, engine repair and engine performance. Extensive training in leading-edge automotive diagnostic and repair techniques is offered in this program. Specialty areas covered are electrical systems, brakes, steering, suspension, AC/heating, engine repair and engine performance.

Baker College of Cadillac

9845 Campus Drive
Cadillac, MI 49601
United States

Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology students will prepare for and take eight ASE Certification Exams after completing the course or courses in the respective areas. Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology students will prepare for and take eight ASE Certification Exams after completing the course or courses in the respective areas.

Baker College of Owosso

1020 South Washington Street
Owosso, MI 48867
United States

Barton Community College

245 Northeast 30 Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
United States

Ensuring that each student is well prepared for successful employment, Barton provides classroom instruction and hands-on experience in utilizing state-of-the-art equipment in a large modern shop. Ensuring that each student is well prepared for successful employment, Barton provides classroom instruction and hands-on experience in utilizing state-of-the-art equipment in a large modern shop.

Bedford County Technical Center

195 Pennknoll Road
Everett, PA 15537
United States

The Automotive Technology program provides students with theory and hands-on experience using the latest training and diagnostic equipment to learn trouble shooting and repair of all modern vehicles. The Automotive Technology program provides students with theory and hands-on experience using the latest training and diagnostic equipment to learn trouble shooting and repair of all modern vehicles.

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

41 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
United States

As a BFIT student, you will learn how to repair all makes and models by automotive professors with decades of industry experience. In a full-service working garage, using state-of-the art equipment, you will learn how to diagnose and repair all areas of the modern automobile. As a BFIT student, you will learn how to repair all makes and models by automotive professors with decades of industry experience. In a full-service working garage, using state-of-the art equipment, you will learn how to diagnose and repair all areas of the modern automobile.

Bergen County Technical Schools

275 285 Pascack Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
United States

Paramus students are trained to be proactive diagnosticians rather than reactive mechanics. The program combines classroom instruction with specified instruction in our fully equipped automotive lab. Paramus students are trained to be proactive diagnosticians rather than reactive mechanics. The program combines classroom instruction with specified instruction in our fully equipped automotive lab.

Berks Career and Technology Center, East Campus

3307 Friedensburg Road
Oley, PA 19547
United States

Students are prepared to enter the auto body and collision industry as entry level technicians. Management, service and business ownership are career paths that many graduates successfully pursue. Students are prepared to enter the auto body and collision industry as entry level technicians. Management, service and business ownership are career paths that many graduates successfully pursue.

Berks Career and Technology Center, West Campus

1026 Cathy Drive
Leesport, PA 19533
United States

Bevill State Community College

1333 Military Street South
Hamilton, AL 35570
United States

The Vehicle Technology and Repair Program (VTR) will prepare technicians for employment in new vehicle dealerships, independent repair establishments, auto body repair shops, fleet service centers, and rental organizations. The Vehicle Technology and Repair Program (VTR) will prepare technicians for employment in new vehicle dealerships, independent repair establishments, auto body repair shops, fleet service centers, and rental organizations.