Automotive technicians with associate's degree?

Question

how much do you start off with? How much will you make after 1, 2, 3 years? Do you get paid hourly or flate rate? Is it a good career to major in?

Answer 1

You'll typically start at $30,000 or so a year and it goes up from there. Some technicians will make close to or over 100K a year but that is VERY uncommon with less then 10 years and i've only heard of master technicians doing it. If you enjoy repairing stuff and don't get frustrated too easily it's a good job. If you are looking for easy money really quick, then don't do it. I get paid flat rate, sometimes it equates to $10/hour something it's $5/hour. It's quality work fast that will make you money, main point being quality. I'd imagine you are looking at a community college for the associates degree. The major automotive colleges (Wyotech, UTI, DADC) will cost you major where as community colleges will cost you under 20K for 5 or so semesters. That's including room and board, tools, tuition, everything.

Answer 2

You wont get a job as a tech Right outa school, dealers don't care about school just ASE certification and dealer exp.I was ready way before a dealer would give me a chance they want you to prove yourself no matter how good you are. You will most likely start busting tires and changing oil then work your way up over time. that is how most of us start. the school is a good idea though to help you do the job when you finally move up, i went for 2 years to trade school got my ASE's and changed oil and tires for a few years and now I'm a flat rate tech at a good shop. Most all techs get paid flat rate and you Will usually start low at around 12-14 hour and be lucky to pull 40 a week, and its hard work and the tools are very exp and eat up most of your paycheck. I have been doing it since i was 17, I'm 25 now, its not easy work and its hard on body . but all in all i love cars and to work on them and i am big into racing so for me its a good job, i would recommend it if you really like cars. good luck

Answer 3

To start with, try to get a job while you're in school. That way you can get seniority while you're in school. I have an associates of Applied Science Automotive Technology myself. I started flat rate in the Denver area at 11.50 flat rate. That was several years and certifications ago though. You may start at the bottom, but you work your way up. My body couldn't handle the manual work anymore, that's the only reason I went to running parts stores. Even that is good money, I'm in my early 20's making 45K a year. I wish you luck in what you decide to do. It is an uphill hellish industry to deal with. Good Luck

Answer 4

Depends upon the shop,experience etc. etc.

Most will start you off with either hourly or some sort of guarantee of income to get your feet wet.. after a few years, it depends upon the level of experience, how quick you are etc. etc.

People who specialize are more likely to make more commission hours and more likely to hit those $50k+ check/year...

I know here in the south, where I'm at, most are doing mid $30k-mid $40k turning 30- 40 hour average weeks (that's general.. in the shop I work for, everyone has to be able to do everything..even though we each have our own specialties (mine being electronics and driveability)

Depending upon how fast you are at completeing the work..yes.. it can be a good career ..However, I rather the stuff that kicks your butt from one end of town to the other, so for someone to follow after me and do nightmares, unless you knew your stuff.. I'd say no (cause I still don't know everything I need to know after 12 years)...

Answer 5

The main problem you have to deal with is the owners. For the first three years, you put up with crap, compromise what you have been taught, might make enough to survive and be generally exhausted. If you survive this and learn from the experience, you will become a good tech. If not , you will become what you just lived through. There is no dollar value to any of this, you have to want it.

Answer 6

so far after i graduated it just depends on what you do and with the experience i would say becoming an apprecntice is way better than spending $18,000 in school. you learn more in the shop. your starting rate jsut depends on where you are and how much you know how ot do.

Answer 7

It all depends on who ids doing the hiring. Start applying to dealerships in your area. The money usually goes with your knowledge and experience.

Answer 8

no count how undesirable the financial difficulty gets, human beings will continuously ought to have their autos repaired. vehicle Tech's will continuously discover artwork. acquire your person equipment and you have a delicate means of self-employment. - .--