Depending on what you read or who you talk to there is an estimated shortage of 60 to 100 thousand trained technicians industry wide. But did you know that according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics many master technicians earn from $70,000 to $100,000 annually? With figures like that one might hardly accept that there is a shortage if it was not for the fact that dealerships are having trouble filling positions as technicians leave their service bays. The fact is, only the more experienced and trained technicians are making those income figures and entry level pay is hardly attractive at all. Ford reportedly says its dealerships need 2,000 new technicians annually. According to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 15,000 trained technicians are "retiring" annually but there is reason to suspect that it's not just a retirement issue.
The automotive industry has under-gone massive changes in recent years. Computers now control most automotive systems and the aspiring technician is taught to effectively identify, test, and repair these high-tech systems. The influx of technology is what makes an automotive career today more interesting, challenging, and rewarding than ever. But still it takes a pretty smart person to learn and operate the diagnostic equipment, interpret the information and ultimately perform the repair. As today's cars and trucks get more and more technical, there are certain individuals who can't or don't choose to keep up with that technology, so they drop out of the industry. Another over looked problem is the growing wall that has risen between manufacturers, dealers, and technicians, much of which is directly related to shrinking salaries and a lack of training. The industry needs to examine how to retain it's current technicians as well as attract new workers.
So what does it take to become a modern automotive technician? The first thing that comes to mind is you must have the interest and the desire to do the job, which is critical in being successful in any career. If you do not like what you are doing you most likely will not be very good at it. You will also need to possess the physical dexterity and ability to perform repairs and use tools correctly, safely and effectively. On the subject of tools, there is a considerable investment in all types of tools and tool storage required that can be very costly, into the tens of thousands of dollars in fact. Some technicians have been known to invest more than thirty to forty thousand dollars over the span of their careers purchasing basic hand tools, specialty tools and diagnostic equipment. Additional investments in training are almost essential from the entry level technician to the seasoned professionals. Acquiring a good foundation of general automotive knowledge is not only a good idea, doing so is almost crucial to advanced levels of training. As technology advances, so must your training and just keeping up is a big part of the job. To sum it all up, you need to be willing, healthy, capable, equipped and educated. Don't forget your health insurance because your back is going to need it!
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