The 11 Best Paying Automotive Jobs (And Easiest To Get)

There are few maintenance jobs more important than those in the automotive industry. Mechanics, engineers, and the like are necessary in today’s society.

Cars are complicated pieces of machinery that will, at some point or another, require an inspection, maintenance, or repair.

Think of everything you would be unable to do if a sudden break-down left you without a working vehicle. Maybe you belong to the 45% of Americans who do not have access to public transportation.

Without your vehicle, daily tasks like going to school/work or running errands would become impossible. Without our vehicles, most of us would be stranded.

Thus, there will always be a need for people who understand how to maintain and fix vehicles.

1. Body Repairer Jobs (Overview)

2. Transportation Equipment Painter Jobs (Overview)

3. Industrial Designer Jobs (Overview)

4. Automotive Service Technician Jobs (Overview)

5. Sales Manager Jobs (Overview)

6. Diesel Technician Jobs (Overview)

7. Mechanic-S Assistant Jobs (Overview)

8. Vehicle Inspector Jobs (Overview)

9. Tow Truck Driver Jobs (Overview)

10. Tire Technician Jobs (Overview)

11. Car Sales Representative Jobs (Overview)

Best Paying Automotive Jobs

A career in the automotive industry can also be a lucrative one. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of an American is $37,040, meaning 50% of Americans make more than this figure, and 50% make less, according to data from 2018. The following is a list of automotive jobs that earn more than this figure.

1. Automotive body repairer and glass repairers
   Average Annual Salary: $48,000

   These are the people you go to when you have been in an accident or your car needs some sort of structural repair.

   They can address something as small as a crack in your windshield to something as big as replacing a door or making repairs to the actual frame of the car.

   In this position, formal training is preferred, however, a high school diploma and on-the-job training can also be sufficient.

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2. Transportation equipment painter
   Average Annual Salary: $47,000

   Transportation equipment painters are a specific kind of professional who specializes in painting new vehicles and restoring older models. This sort of painting is usually completed with specialized spray paint guns.

   While a high school diploma is also required for this position, typically there are also options to learn automobile painting at vocational schools.

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3. Industrial designer
   Average Annual Salary: $66,000

   Industrial designers are responsible for taking a vehicle from concept to creation. It is their job to make sure that a car is both functional and fashionable.

   They may be creating new vehicles altogether, or they may be redesigning older models to be more user-friendly and fresh. Typically, however, this position requires a bachelor’s degree in design or something similar.

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4. Automotive service technicians and mechanics
   Average Annual Salary: $40,000

   These are the people you might picture when you think of an auto mechanic; the people who make sure that your car is running as best as it can, taking care of maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, while also providing repairs to the inner mechanisms of your vehicle.

   Because this is a more complicated, hands-on job, typically a certificate or associate’s degree is required. Keep in mind that the average salary varies across the country, and you may want to find mechanic salaries for your specific state.

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5. Sales manager
   Average Annual Salary: $81,000

   Sales are what determines a retail company’s success, and the same can be said for car vendors. Sales managers are those who keep inventory moving.

   They set prices, determine the best method of selling, and manage all the sellers of a particular dealership. They can also help solve customer issues and be a representative for the sales staff.

   To land a sales manager position, you will need to have an extensive sales background, and you will probably need to prove you can sell cars well before being promoted to a management position.

   This can also be a good next step for someone who is already a mechanic, as car salesmen need to know specifics about each vehicle and what they are equipped with. For more job opportunities for a former mechanic, click here.

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6. Diesel technician and mechanics
   Average Annual Salary: $44,000

   Much like automotive service technicians, these mechanics are in the business of keeping vehicles running properly. These technicians, however, are specialized in working on diesel engines, meaning they work on larger vehicles, like trucks, semis, buses, etc.

   Like automotive mechanics, while some skills can be learned on the job, usually a certificate or a degree is required, especially since they are dealing with more specialized machinery.

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Entry-Level Automotive Jobs

If you are looking into starting a career in the automotive industry, here are a few entry-level positions that can help you get started, or even provide you with valuable experience while you work towards earning a certificate or degree.

1. Mechanic’s assistant
   Average Annual Salary: $27,000

   If you are looking to get into vehicle repair, becoming a mechanic’s assistant may be for you. This position allows you to learn the ropes while actually working with vehicles.

   This would be the perfect position for someone who is perhaps on their way towards gaining a certificate or completing an auto body training course.

   Plus, once you have completed your training or have earned your certificate, there will already be a shop that is familiar with you and might be willing to hire you as a full-time mechanic.

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2. Vehicle inspector
   Average Annual Salary: $57,000

   While this may not seem like a go-to starting point for someone who wants to go into the automotive industry, becoming a vehicle inspector can be a great way to get familiar with cars and how they deteriorate.

   You will see the common problems that arise with cars and how to fix them. This can also carry over into a mechanic’s position, where you will not only be able to identify the problem, but you will be able to provide your clients with the repair they need.

   Furthermore, being a certified vehicle inspector adds credibility to your shop, as many states require cars to be up to a certain standard before being registered. If you have experience inspecting vehicles to be fit for the road, your customers will know that you are not someone who cuts corners and that their vehicle will get all the repairs it needs.

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3. Tow truck driver
   Average Annual Salary: $35,000

   Tow truck drivers are the first responders to a failed vehicle. They are the ones who see a car fresh from an accident or a break-down. Daily, they see how a delayed repair causes a car to fail. This gives them unique insight into car repairs, especially when it comes to prioritizing repairs.

   For example, if a customer has a limited budget for repairs on their vehicle, someone who has seen first-hand what could have prevented a car from breaking down will know what repairs need to be addressed first, and which ones may be able to be delayed.

   Furthermore, a tow truck driver learns about a car’s basic anatomy, including its weight distribution and how best to transport a broken-down vehicle.

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4. Tire technician
   Average Annual Salary: $42,000

   The easiest way to start a career as a mechanic is to start as a specialized repairman. Becoming familiar with one section of car repair, such as tires, can put you on the path toward becoming familiar with repairing the entire vehicle.

   Tire technicians are those who keep tires in top condition. They can install, replace, inspect, and rotate tires on a car as needed, and they are also able to recommend the best kind of tires for each vehicle.

   Once you become accustomed to tire maintenance and repair, you will be more prepared to take on the more complicated mechanics of car repair. In short, becoming a tire technician is a great place to start.

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5. Car sales representative
   Average Annual Salary: $29,000

   Finally, if you are someone who wants to break into the more corporate side of cars, becoming a car salesperson can be a great way for you to gain the experience you will need. Knowing how to sell cars can put you on the track toward becoming a sales manager, a dealership owner, or a marketing professional.

   Selling cars is the most important aspect of being a car vendor, so sales are normally where employers look first when trying to find someone to fill a management or marketing position.

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Why Work in an Automotive Career

If you’re interested in an automotive career, odds are you have some interest in cars or trucks. Luckily, an automotive career will allow you to combine an interest or hobby of yours with the opportunity to make a living.

There are many ways to work with cars. While there are the typical mechanic and technician jobs, you can also go into the more corporate side of cars: sales, marketing, design, advertisement, even accounting.

Finally, this career has relative job security. It seems that cars are not going anywhere any time soon, and as a result, there will always be a need for people who know how they work, as well as a need for people to sell and market them.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, an automotive career can be both an easy one to start, as well as a lucrative one. While some training may be required, usually it is training that can be completed relatively quickly, and sometimes can be completed on-the-job.

If you are someone who enjoys working with cars, there are endless career options for you, and the above lists are just a few places to get you started.

No matter what, companies and employers are always looking for those who are passionate about what they will be doing, so combining a possible career with a hobby or interest of yours can be what sets you apart from the competition and can also be what makes your job more fun.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.