Automotive Careers?

[Thai]

I agree with Charlie...although a few technicians can make a lot of money...usually in privately owned garage in a good/upscale neighborhood. If you have a skill in automotive repairs, then go for it. But remember, for every >100K/year technician, there are many more that do not make close to this. It's like the business world...yeah, there are millionaires, but there are many more failures and "How would you like burgers today?". Facts of life in our society.

Good luck in your decision. My viewpoint on life is...go the safe route and enjoy my hobbies. (yes, i am a chickenshit.)

 

[Even Steven]

I agree with Charlie...although a few technicians can make a lot of money...usually in privately owned garage in a good/upscale neighborhood. If you have a skill in automotive repairs, then go for it.

In general, dealership technicians that reach "A" status make much more money than the average technician at an independent shop. The only guys who make really good money at the small shops are the guys who own them.



But remember, for every >100K/year technician, there are many more that do not make close to this.

My point is that anyone who puts the effort into learning the craft and works hard has the potential to earn a six-figure salary in this field. Of course it will vary from individual to individual, but the potential is there.

BTW, in my area, the average salary for a dealership tech is $59,000. That figure is directly from one of my trade mags. So I guess that's more in line with what someone should expect entering the field. These guys aren't "grease monkeys" anymore....and they haven't been for years now.

 

[charlier180]

This was at the Toyota dealership that I used to work. Keep in mind that I'm in a high wage area (New York) and shop rates average over $80/hour. Our shop is 14 bays (not including two detail bays) with 6 A techs. The majority of the others were B techs. I believe we had 2 C techs to do most of the tire/brake/oil change jobs.

Thanks for the insight. This explains a lot. "High wage areas" always seem to inflate wages above other parts of the country.
That is a key fact for people to remember when considering this profession. If you do not want to live near or work in a big city then you will be limiting your earning potential.

Sounds like your fomer shop was an older or smaller Toyota Dealer? My Toyota dealer has 20+ bays not including detail bays.
They have 4, 5 person teams. in the last year or so they added two more teams. Talk about a BUSY shop.

The competition for techs can get insane, which is why they can be so highly paid. Sometimes it comes down to a bidding war for a good tech. That's not good for the dealership (or customer), but it's sure a good situation for the tech. I don't think it's so much about caring, but more of a business decision. Management has to walk a fine line between what they pay a tech and what that same tech can give them in return.

I agree bidding wars are not good for anyone except the Tech.
I have seen more than a few bidding wars where the winning bidder ended up being the LOSER because the "A" Tech was not all he was cracked up to be. In most cases those techs moved on once it became apparent that the tech could produce the hours and profit expected of him.

In my old shop, we worked in teams. Each team was led by an A tech and he basically supervised the work of his subordinates, all while doing his own work too. The A tech had a responsibility to ensure that his guys were not performing a job over their heads and would offer a hand or advice whenever needed. The most productive teams were rewarded with bonuses, which helped to motivate the entire shop.

Question for you.. In your old shop did the "A" Techs somehow share financially in the work done by the other techs on his team?

That's why I always stressed that my guys need to be diagnosticians. I'd much rather rely on my own talent or the talented guys around me to help diagnose a difficult problem. A tech line is great, but as I'm sure you know, it can be VERY difficult to accurately diagnose a problem over the phone.

I agree, however there are some automakers that place a BIG EMPHASIS on Techs using a Tech Line.
Some see it as a means of controlling the work being done and/or controlling warranty costs.
Other automakers use the Tech Line as a means to collect repair data that in theory could be shared with other techs.

Unfortunately, when techs work in an environment like this it becomes more difficult for the tech to consistently "beat the book".