Automotive Repairer

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Requirements

86% Match

Career Spectrum

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Overview

Description
Automotive repairers can repair most damage from vehicle collisions and make vehicles
look and drive like new - damage may be minor, such as replacing a cracked windshield, or
major, such as replacing an entire door panel. They can also restore the structural integrity
of car frames back to manufacturer specifications.
Automotive repairers use many tools for their work, ranging from common hand tools to
bigger machines such as hydraulic jacks and hammers. In some cases, they do an entire
job by themselves. In other cases, especially in large shops, they use an assembly line

approach in which they work as a team with each repair technician specializing.
Sample Job Titles: Auto Body Technician, Automotive Painter, Body Frame Worker

Provincial Outlook

Estimated Salary

$38,311 - $87,641
Learn More

Education Level
Secondary School
On-the-job Training
College/Apprenticeship

Learn More

Compatibility

86%
Match

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Mechanic

University

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Workplace

Work Environment
Automotive body repairers work in automotive repair and maintenance shops, and
automobile dealers.
Automotive repairers typically work indoors in body shops, which are often noisy. Most
shops are well ventilated to disperse dust and paint fumes. Repair technicians sometimes
work in awkward and cramped positions, and their work can be physically demanding.

Automotive glass installers and repairers often travel to the customers location to repair
damaged windshields and window glass.

Main Duties

File, grind, sand and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand
tools.
Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking
tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and
wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to
remove dents, using hammers.
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.
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.
Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
Remove interior, accessories, electrical equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle
bodies and fenders.
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.

Important Skills

Critical-thinking skills. Automotive repairers must be able to evaluate vehicle damage

and determine necessary repair strategies for each vehicle they work on. In some
cases, they must decide if a vehicle is totaled, or too damaged to justify the cost of
repair.
Customer-service skills. Automotive repairers must have discussions with customers
about auto body and glass problems along with options to fix them. Because selfemployed workers depend on repeat clients for business, they must be courteous,
good listeners, and ready to answer customers questions.
Detail oriented. Automotive repairers must pay close attention to detail. Restoring a
damaged auto body to its original state requires workers to have a keen eye for even
the smallest imperfection.
Dexterity. Many automotive repairers' tasks, such as removing door panels,
hammering out dents, and using hand tools to install parts, require a steady hand and
good handeye coordination.
Mechanical skills. Automotive repairers must know which diagnostic, hydraulic,
pneumatic, and other power equipment and tools are appropriate for certain
procedures and repairs. They must be skilled with techniques and methods necessary
to repair modern automobiles.
Time-management skills. Automotive repairers must be timely in their repairs. For
many people, their automobile is their primary mode of transportation.

Career Cluster

This cluster involves the movement of people, materials, and

goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water. It also includes
different areas of work such as transportation operations,
planning and management services, warehouse and

Transportation, Distribution
and Logistics

distribution centre operations, facility and mobile equipment

maintenance and transportation system regulations.

Outlook

Job Outlook

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Job Outlook based on NOC 7321 (Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers)

View Regional Data

Salary Ranges

Canada

$27,127 - $70,905

Alberta

$38,311 - $87,641

British Columbia

$33,387 - $77,207

Manitoba

$27,962 - $62,600

New Brunswick

$26,084 - $50,164

Newfoundland and Labrador

$31,300 - $75,120

Nova Scotia

$25,040 - $52,167

Northwest Territories

$36,809 - $99,076

Nunavut

$22,953 - $100,954

Ontario

$25,082 - $69,799

Prince Edward Island

$22,953 - $43,820

Quebec

$27,127 - $62,600

Saskatchewan

$31,300 - $73,034

Yukon

$37,539 - $82,153

Salary Ranges are based on hourly rates for NOC 7321 (Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical
repairers) and an estimated 2086 hours per year

View Regional Data

Employment Growth

2012

153,569

2013

154,721

2014

156,033

2015

157,296

2016

158,329

2017

158,747

2018

159,128

2019

159,557

2020

159,634

2021

159,859

2022

160,163

Employment Growth based on Stats Canada Occupation Group 732

Requirements

Education Level

Secondary School

On-the-job Training

College/Apprenticeship

University

Requirements

Completion of secondary school is usually required.

Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or a
combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and high school,
college or industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for
trade certification.
Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta and available, but
voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia,
the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in
Ontario.
On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.

Subject Areas

Technical & Trades

Related Programs

Aviation Technician
(Avionics Maintenance)

Heavy Equipment
Techniques

Power Engineering
Technology

Canadore College of Applied

Northern College of Applied

Red River College

Arts and Technology

Arts and Technology

Related Apprenticeships: Automotive Service Technician

Career Spectrum

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE BUILDER (RC)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Occupation Results

Realistic

Conventional
77%

50%

100%

22%

Enterprising

Investigative
35%

35%

22%

11%

Artistic

Social
33%

27%

11%

0%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is a

TECHNICAL & TRADES

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Technical & Trades

Occupation Results

Computers
78%

56%

31%

32%

Business

Physical Education
56%

56%

20%

20%

Mathematics

Creative Arts
50%

28%

26%

19%

Social Science

Science
28%

22%

15%

20%

English

Languages
22%

17%

12%

13%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

ACHIEVEMENT

SLIGHT MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Achievement

Occupation Results

Working Conditions
78%

72%

33%

42%

Independence

Recognition
69%

58%

50%

28%

Relationships

Support
39%

33%

56%

61%

Compatibility
File, grind, sand and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and
hand tools.

Definitely

Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with
masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.

Definitely

Resources

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vehicle bodies and frames.

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Helpful Links
Ontario:
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Public Inquiries
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/
Alberta:
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
Prince Edward Island:
Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning
www.apprenticeship.pe.ca/

New Brunswick:
Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Apprenticeship Certification
www.gnb.ca/0381/index-e.asp

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