Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, the automotive aftermarket is a good career path. This is especially true if you love working with your hands or are generally interested in cars. The automotive aftermarket includes all of the parts, accessories, and services that people buy for their cars after the original sale.
Parts manufactured by car companies that mechanics use to make repairs fall into this category, as do parts and accessories made by third parties that dealerships and buyers can use to upgrade their cars. Service jobs such as mechanics and collision repair technicians are considered automotive aftermarket careers as well.
In addition to a plethora of job opportunities, the automotive aftermarket also offers plenty of opportunities to run your own business. If any of this is attractive to you, you should consider a career in this industry.
Here are 9 great jobs in the automotive aftermarket:
The Four Best-Paying Jobs in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry
Since this field has such a wide variety of job opportunities and is rarely without customers, these are some high-paying careers.
-
Average Annual Salary: $79,000
Even though mechanical engineers usually work in the design of cars, they also work in the automotive aftermarket as well. These engineers create parts that car owners can add to their cars after they purchase them or develop parts to be used for repairs.
Engineering usually requires a significant amount of education in math and physics, so if these fields interest you and you have a desire to put them to practical use, this might be an excellent career for you.
-
Average Annual Salary: $57,000
Engineering technicians are kind of a cross between an engineer and a mechanic. They learn more of the high-level math and physics concepts behind parts and machines than the average mechanic does, but they focus more on the hands-on manufacturing, maintenance, and repair aspects of them than the average engineer.
If you enjoy math and science but want to do the hands-on side of engineering, this might be an excellent career path for you. In this role, you’ll likely help test, manufacture, and repair engines and other automobile parts for manufacturing companies, dealerships, or repair shops.
-
Average Annual Salary: $67,000
Logisticians manage the logistics of purchasing and delivering parts, materials, and finished products. Whether it’s managing how many parts a manufacturer needs to make, how many parts a dealership needs to buy, or how to ship everything where it needs to go on time, logisticians can have a variety of responsibilities.
If you enjoy creating and improving processes and working with a wide variety of people, logistics may be a great career choice for you. This role will rarely be dull, as you’ll need to adapt to an ever-changing marketplace and the many unexpected challenges that will come your way.
-
Automotive Repair Shop Manager
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Repair shops need managers to schedule and train employees, deal with customer concerns and requests, and order and stock parts and products. These professionals usually have a combination of business, management, and automotive experience, which is why they often get paid well.
If you enjoy the ins and outs of the automotive aftermarket and working with and leading people, you might enjoy being an automotive repair shop manager. This role is also a good stepping stone to running your own automotive shop.
11 Entry-Level Jobs in Automotive Aftermarket
If you’re interested in entering the automotive aftermarket, consider one of these entry-level jobs. Some of them require training or education, but many don’t, making them excellent ways to start your career.
-
Automotive Technician or Mechanic
Average Annual Salary: $40,000
This is the job that most people think of when they think of the automotive industry. These professionals inspect, maintain, and repair cars at dealerships and auto repair shops. They work with their hands all day, so if you enjoy this kind of work and learning how engines and cars work, this might be an excellent career for you.
To become an automotive technician or mechanic, you’ll usually have to complete a general certification program from a technical school, or some car manufacturers have specific training programs as well. Once you have enough work experience, you can move to managing an auto repair shop or even owning your own business.
-
Average Annual Salary: $41,000
Automotive glass technicians repair and replace the glass windows in cars. They may work for a collision repair shop replacing windows that have broken in accidents, or they may work for general service shops that repair glass that has chipped or cracked during regular use.
You’ll need to complete an auto glass repair and installation certificate program to enter this field, which usually only requires a high school diploma to qualify. Some dealerships and body shops may also provide on-the-job training programs so you can bypass the school portion and jump right into your work.
-
Automotive Body Technician
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Rather than repairing engine components that wear out over time, auto body technicians know the ins and outs of how the car body is built and do everything from repairing dents to completely replacing doors and bumpers; they’re the ones car owners go to when they get into a fender bender or have other external damage.
Similar to other automotive technician roles, auto body technicians need a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a professional certification. You can get this at vocational or technical schools and colleges or even on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs at auto body shops and dealerships.
-
Average Annual Salary: $26,000
Automotive detailers are experts at cleaning cars’ interiors and exteriors to restore them to their fresh-off-the-lot glory. They can do jobs for individual clients who want to refresh their cars or prepare them to sell, but they also often work for dealerships that need to get used cars ready to sell.
You often don’t need anything but a high school diploma and a driver’s license to start a career as a detailer, but taking some online classes and getting your IDA detailer certification will definitely help improve your career prospects. From there, you can work your way up to managing or owning your own business if you want.
-
Diesel Engine Specialist
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Cars aren’t the only automobiles that need aftermarket repairs and maintenance: Trucks and buses do as well. Since these larger vehicles have diesel engines, they need specialized diesel engine mechanics to work on them.
To become a diesel engine specialist, you’ll usually need a high school diploma as well as a professional certificate or associate’s degree in diesel engine repair (or a similar specialty). You may also be able to train as you work at a diesel engine or auto repair shop, so be sure to check into that option as well.
-
Retail Worker
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Car part and accessory stores need retail workers to stock shelves, ring up customers, and handle customer service inquiries. If you want a job that requires very little prior experience and allows you to work with your hands and interact with people, this might be the perfect entry-level job for you.
Working in automotive aftermarket retail can be a great way to earn some cash and start getting to know the industry, whether you’re considering moving to a different career within it or owning your own store someday.
-
CNC Operator
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Computer numerical control machines use pre-programmed instructions to make parts, and while they don’t have someone actively directing them, they need operators to do the programming and make sure they’re operating correctly.
These machines are common in the automotive aftermarket industry, as they’re often used to make car parts that are then used for repairs or upgrades. To become a CNC operator, you’ll need a high school diploma and a professional certification, as well as an eye for detail and a desire to work with computers and in manufacturing.
-
Tire Repair Technician
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Even if a car never gets in an accident or malfunctions in any other way, it will likely need its tires repaired, which means tire repair technicians are always in demand. If you want to dip your toes in the automotive aftermarket field and get some experience doing hands-on work with cars, this might be a great job for you.
You don’t usually need much education to start working as a tire repair technician, as long as you find a company that is willing to train you. Earning a certification in automotive technology or a related subject will help improve your job prospects, however, and open up more doors in the automotive repair field.
-
Customer Service Representative
Average Annual Salary: $30,000
Dealerships, auto repair shops, and even car part manufacturing companies need customer service representatives to answer customers’ questions and concerns. These customers may be car owners, but in the case of manufacturing companies, they may also be the technicians and mechanics who install the parts.
Many customer service representative positions require little to no experience or education beyond a high school diploma, but taking certification classes in the area you want to work in will help make you a more attractive candidate.
-
Average Annual Salary: $38,000
Car part manufacturing companies need welders to weld metal together. If you enjoy working with your hands and find metallurgy interesting, this may be a great job for you.
To become a welder, you’ll typically need a high school diploma and a professional certification – often more than one depending on the type of welding you want to do. Once you have those certifications and some significant work experience, you can work in a variety of settings or even run your own company.
-
Average Annual Salary: $35,000
Cars have an increasing number of electrical components, which means auto repair shops need automotive electricians to repair and maintain these systems. If you enjoy working with your hands and find cars and electricity interesting, you might enjoy this role.
To launch your automotive electrician career, you’ll need a high school diploma and an automotive electrician professional certification. Many vocational or trade schools and associate degree programs offer this, sometimes as a concentration or specialization within an automotive technician program.
Why Choose a Career in Automotive Aftermarket?
The automotive aftermarket offers a wide variety of jobs and career opportunities. If you’re considering entering this field, it might be a good choice for you if you check most or all of these boxes:
-
You enjoy working with your hands. If working with your hands gives you a sense of accomplishment and if sitting behind a computer screen all day sounds miserable, a career in the automotive aftermarket may be a great fit for you. You can find desk jobs in this industry too, but the majority of these positions require hands-on effort.
-
You’re interested in cars. If you can, it’s always best to try to find a career that you find interesting, so working in the automotive aftermarket industry might be a great option for you if you enjoy working with and learning about cars.
-
You want to own your own business. There are plenty of opportunities to own your own business in the automotive aftermarket industry. While they’ll take just as much work to get off the ground as startups do in any other field, this industry is unique in that there are so many small businesses that comprise it.
-
You enjoy helping people. People rely on their cars to take them to work, keep their children safe, and take them to get necessities like food and medical care. When their cars break down or need repair, they need reliable people to make sure they get the required services and parts quickly.
If you want to work in a career that’s built around helping people, the automotive aftermarket may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it makes a big impact on people’s lives.
-
You want to earn a steady living without having to complete much schooling. College is expensive, and if you don’t want to do any of the jobs that require a college degree, it isn’t worth it. Instead, consider a career in something like the automotive aftermarket, which offers a plethora of jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Automotive Aftermarket
If you decide you want to go into the automotive aftermarket field, there are a few degrees and certifications that will help you jump-start your career or open doors to managerial and ownership positions in the future.
You may not need every one of these and may need some that aren’t on this list, but this will give you a good idea of what’s typically required in this industry.:
-
Automotive technician professional certification. This is a great place to start if you’re interested in the automotive aftermarket industry. It will open doors to work as a mechanic or technician, and it will give you a solid foundation if you want to pursue a more specialized career.
-
Collision repair professional certification. This certification is designed for people who want to do car body repairs rather than work on engines and engine components.
-
Diesel engine repair certification. If you want to work on buses and trucks, you’ll need a diesel engine repair professional certification. Sometimes these are independent programs, while other times, it’s a credential you add on top of automotive technician certification.
-
Automotive electrician certification. You’ll need this certificate in order to work with the electrical components of cars. Sometimes this is included as a specialty in an auto technician program, while other times, it’s a two-year degree program.
-
Automotive glass repair and installation certification. This will allow you to install and repair car windshields and windows at the auto body, detailing, and auto repair shops.
-
CNC operator certification. If you want to work with a CNC machine, you’ll need this professional certificate. You can often obtain this with just a few months’ worths of evening classes, and you may be able to get advanced certifications as well.
-
Welding certification. If you want to be a welder, you’ll need to earn your professional certification. Just make sure you find a program that has the specialties you’re looking for since there are many different types of welding, almost all of which have individual certifications.
-
Car manufacturer-specific certification. Some car manufacturers have specific training programs meant to help technicians learn how to work on their particular cars’ electronics and engine components. This can be a valuable professional certificate to have if you know you want to work for a dealership.
-
Business degree. If you’re interested in working in the business side of automotive aftermarket or in owning your own company someday, a business degree (or at least business classes) may be highly valuable to you.
-
Mechanical engineering degree. This is a requirement for mechanical engineering roles, and it usually involves at least four years of undergraduate courses.
-
Engineering technician degree. This degree will help you get engineering technician roles, and it’s usually a two-year associate degree.
What Do People Working in Automotive Aftermarket Do?
People working in the automotive aftermarket industry can hold a wide variety of jobs; they may manufacture or sell parts and accessories, perform vehicle maintenance and repairs, or customize vehicles.
If you enter this industry, you could be a mechanic, a collision repairperson, or even sell car upgrades and accessories. Any job that involves cars after the initial sale is a part of the automotive aftermarket, so there are plenty of different roles that you could hold.
Author
Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.
