All it takes is one icy road.  Bam!  The cars involved in the collision are in dire need of repairs.  Bumpers are smashed and hanging down.  Dented front panels rub on the tire.  To return a car to its former glory, an Auto Body Technician is required.

Auto Body Technicians possess capabilities to replace dented automobile parts.  They can remove dents.  Using their skills, they can easily buff and paint over nasty scratches.  In general, they can take a badly beaten and smashed automobile or truck and return it to new.

It is undeniable.  In order to get to work, school or run errands, the majority of U.S. households must own at least one vehicle.  As the number of vehicles driving on roadways increases, the odds of being involved in a crash also soars.  Any number of occurrences from weather conditions to road rage can all help create collisions.  Damage can be minimal or devastating.  Regardless, the need for an Auto Body Technician is steadily increasing.

Auto Body Technicians both repair and refinish automobiles.  Through specified training, an Auto Body Technician spends his or her day banging out dents, replacing broken components, sanding or buffing rust or scratches, and using an airbrush paint system to create a dazzling finish.  Specialized Auto Body Technicians work with glass.  Titled Auto Glass Repairmen, these men and woman are fully trained in replacing broken windows and mirrors. 

As vehicles are built out of both metal and plastic, an Auto Body Technician must be computer literate, capable of reading and comprehending material in repair manuals, and they must be able to work on their feet for long hours.  Basic math skills are necessary for calculating paint coverage and determining exact measurements for replacing metal and plastic panels.  A vehicle is a three-dimensional form, so it is critical that an Auto Body Technician is capable of measuring in three-dimensions.

As of three years ago, almost one-quarter of a million Auto Body Technicians work in the United States.  More than half of these technicians are self-employed.  With increasing demand for reliable Auto Body Technicians, this career is quickly growing.  Working in the field of automotive repair is proving to be rewarding and prosperous.  The career of an Auto Body Technician can be seasonal to an extent.  In the north, accidents occur far more often as weather changes and snow create hazardous road conditions.  Those thinking of working in this field often make sure they have a good client base to ensure they have work for the entire year.

As vehicle manufacturers improve the components used in cars and trucks of the future, there will be tremendous need for Auto Body Technicians who can keep up with those changes. 

Due to the continuing improvements made on automobiles in today’s world, an Auto Body Technician must keep up with the times.  Attending courses and seminars on current automotive trends and changes is extremely important to an Auto Body Technician.  A person considering entering this field should be prepared to take continuing education courses offered by both individual automotive manufacturers and community colleges or vocational schools on a regular basis.

Many vocational schools offer classes relating to the field of auto body repairs.  High school students can start preparing for their career before high school graduation.  Adults are welcome to attend vocational classes for a reasonable fee.  These courses offer part of a person’s training, but hands on experience is also necessary.

Many automotive shops offer apprenticeships where a new employee matches vocational school coursework with on-the-job training.  In general, the jobs an apprentice completes are simple tasks.  The difficulty increases as the apprentice proves him or herself capable. 

A typical apprenticeship lasts for four or five years.  After that point, the Auto Body Technician can become a certified technician.  The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) provides testing and certification that proves a technician has mastered the art of automobile repair.  A person must have completed at least two years of hands-on experience and pass the first of the ASE exams.  Once the first exam has been mastered, the technician receives papers stating he or she is ASE certified.  There far an additional three exams then receive their ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technician certification.  The technician must complete the exam every five years in order to retain his or her certification.

Many of today’s top automotive manufacturers also require that a technician passes their specialized repair program.  Because cars vary from one make to another, the major manufacturers demand that Auto Body Technicians remain up to date with the ongoing changes in today’s cars.  An Auto Body Technician may be ASE Certified, but that does not guarantee that the technician is specialized in repairing all makes and models.  For this reason, individual manufacturer certifications must also be completed.

An Auto Body Technician must remain up to date with the current automotive manuals, computerized repair databases, and seminars.  Though time consuming, it is critical to stay informed.  Once a person enters this career, they must be willing to ensure that they keep up with the ever-changing world of automobiles.

As a person gains experience, their pay scale will increase.  An Auto Body Technician just starting out is obviously not going to be earning as much as an ASE certified technician.  An Auto Body Technician who specializes in glass repair and replacement will also be working on a different pay scale.  Depending on the region in which an Auto Body Technician will be working, pay rates can vary greatly from state to state.

Using a scattering of base wages throughout the United States, parties interested in becoming an Auto Body Technician can get a good example of just how much money they can make in certain areas.  These listings do not included overtime or bonuses.  Also all Social Security and similar benefits have been taken from the net pay leaving the base pay examples.  Each of the key Auto Body Technician levels are included below.

Auto Body Technician (Glass Specialist):

Alabama:  $40,100 per year.

Alaska:  $49,600 per year.

California: $50,400 per year.

Florida:  $42,700 per year.

Hawaii: $47,100 per year.

Massachusetts:  $47,700 per year.

New Hampshire: $43,500 per year.

South Dakota:  $39,000 per year.

Texas:  $43,600 per year.

Utah:  $41,500 per year.

West Virginia:  $40,600 per year.

Auto Body Technician (Level I):

Alabama:  $29,000 per year.

Alaska:  $35,900 per year.

California: $36,500 per year.

Florida:  $30,900 per year.

Hawaii: $34,100 per year.

Massachusetts:  $34,600 per year.

New Hampshire: $31,500 per year.

South Dakota:  $28,200 per year.

Texas:  $31,600 per year.

Utah:  $30,400 per year.

West Virginia:  $28,600 per year.

Auto Body Technician (ASE Certified):

Alabama:  $37,500 per year.

Alaska:  $46,700 per year.

California: $45,400 per year.

Florida:  $40,200 per year.

Hawaii: $44,400 per year.

Massachusetts:  $45,000 per year.

New Hampshire: $41,000 per year.

South Dakota:  $37,600 per year.

Texas:  $41,000 per year.

Utah:  $39,100 per year.

West Virginia:  $37,300 per year.

Auto Body Technician (ASE Master Certified):

Alabama:  $45,300 per year.

Alaska:  $56,500 per year.

California: $57,400 per year.

Florida:  $48,700 per year.

Hawaii: $53,600 per year.

Massachusetts:  $54,300 per year.

New Hampshire: $49,500 per year.

South Dakota:  $44,400 per year.

Texas:  $49,600 per year.

Utah:  $47,300 per year.

West Virginia:  $45,100 per year.

The ultimate goal for an Auto Body Technician would be to rise to the top of the pay scale by going for the Master ASE.  The good news is that it does not take long to reach that point, and there are many opportunities for pay scale increases along the way.