The median pay for Automotive Body and Related Repairers is $54,890 a year ($26.39/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.7% through 2035, with about 12,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Commonly called: Auto Body Technician
- SOC 49-3021
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Automotive Body and Related Repairer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $54,890a year, or $26.39/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $88K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.7%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 12,600163,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025163.2K
- Projected 2035169.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 163.2K Projected 2035 169.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school23.4%
- High school42%
- Certificate34.7%
Highest education held by automotive body and related repairers Segment Value Less than high school 23.4% High school 42% Certificate 34.7%
Also advertised as: Auto Body Man, Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech), Auto Body Repairman, Automotive Body Technician (Auto Body Tech), Body Man, Body Technician (Body Tech).
Pay
How much do auto body technicians make?
Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn a median of $54,890 a year ($26.39 an hour, or about $4,570 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $36,910 and the top 10% more than $87,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Rhode Island, with a median of $72,490. See Auto body technician salary in Rhode Island and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Seattle ($92,390 average): salary in every city.
Every automotive body and related repairer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$54,890
Middle half earn $45,750 to $69,200
- 10th
- $36,910
- 25th
- $45,750
- 75th
- $69,200
- 90th
- $87,940
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,910 |
| 25th | $45,750 |
| Median | $54,890 |
| 75th | $69,200 |
| 90th | $87,940 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $54,890
- Median hourly wage
- $26.39/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $59,690
- People employed
- 149,310
Versus all US occupations
At $54,890, Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn 8% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,910 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 10% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $87,940 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,910, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 27% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Rhode Island pays the most at $72,490, and still leads at $70,874 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay auto body technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rhode Island | $72,490 | $70,874 | 800 |
| 2California | $66,860 | $60,387 | 14,050 |
| 3District of Columbia | $62,640 | $56,997 | 30 |
| 4New Jersey | $62,400 | $57,350 | 3,720 |
| 5Alaska | $61,680 | $60,259 | 270 |
| 6Minnesota | $60,970 | $61,823 | 2,910 |
| 7Hawaii | $60,540 | $55,061 | 450 |
| 8Missouri | $60,540 | $66,662 | 4,350 |
| 9Nevada | $60,520 | $60,533 | 1,020 |
| 10Oregon | $60,000 | $58,049 | 1,660 |
Job outlook
Is auto body technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | +3.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Automotive Body and Related Repairers to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 6,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 12,600 openings are projected each year, 7.7% of the 163,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of automotive body and glass repairers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Increasingly, new vehicles have a number of safety features and systems that are designed to prevent collisions. More of these workers are projected to be needed as repair work requires more time to work around an increasing number of cameras and sensors.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become an auto body technician
Most employers prefer to hire automotive body and glass repairers who have completed a training program in automotive body or glass repair. Still, many new body and glass repairers begin work without previous training. Industry certification is increasingly important.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as automotive body and related repairers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)42%
- Post-Secondary Certificate34.7%
- Less than a High School Diploma23.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 42% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 34.7% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 23.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an auto body technician do?
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.
Day-to-day tasks
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
- Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
- Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
- Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
- Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most automotive body and glass repairers work full time. When shops have to complete a backlog of work, overtime is common. This often includes working evenings and weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where automotive body and related repairers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair60%
- Automobile dealers16%
- Self-employed workers8%
- Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 60% |
| Automobile dealers | 16% |
| Self-employed workers | 8% |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Writing2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Repairing3.3
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Service Orientation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Repairing | 3.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as an auto body technician?
Women make up 4.2% of automotive body and related repairers, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation.
Only 16.2% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce.
The median worker is 40.7 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 4.2%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 40.7All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 16.2%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 130,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of automotive body and related repairers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 4.2% | 47.1% |
| White | 87.0% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 8.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32.5% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 16.2% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 10.0% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an auto body technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Automotive Body and Related Repairer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.3
- Investigative1.6
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.4
- Social1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Automotive Body and Related Repairer
O*NET related occupations
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic
$50,620median a year
Most earn $35K to $82K
+5.0%Certificate - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
- Production
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$65,380median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
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$56,210median a year
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More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with automotive body and related repairers highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers$63,890
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers | $63,890 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within automotive body and related repairer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Automotive Body and Related Repairer appears on
Questions
Automotive Body and Related Repairer: frequently asked questions
How much do auto body technicians make?
Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn a median of $54,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 8% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $26.39/hr. The middle half earn between $45,750 and $69,200. The top 10% earn $87,940 or more.
How much do auto body technicians make an hour?
The median hourly wage for automotive body and related repairers is $26.39 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $54,890 annual median works out to about $4,570 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for an auto body technician?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of automotive body and related repairers earn less than $36,910 a year and the bottom quarter less than $45,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do auto body technicians make $100k?
Rarely. Even the 90th percentile is $87,940, so fewer than 10% of automotive body and related repairers earn $100,000 or more (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No state's median reaches $100,000; the highest is Rhode Island at $72,490.
Which states pay auto body technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Automotive Body and Related Repairers are Rhode Island ($72,490), California ($66,860), District of Columbia ($62,640) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of auto body technician earns the most?
BLS does not split automotive body and related repairers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $87,940, against a median of $54,890 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Rhode Island ($72,490), California ($66,860), District of Columbia ($62,640). BLS also counts a specialty career inside this occupation (classic car restorer), which shares its federal pay figures.
Do you need a degree to become an auto body technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Automotive Body and Related Repairers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 42.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become an auto body technician?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for auto body technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists long-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is auto body technician a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 12,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an auto body technician do?
Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass. A core O*NET task: follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Do auto body technicians work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 66% of automotive body and related repairers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 34% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 78% say their schedule is regular and 22% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits an auto body technician?
O*NET scores Automotive Body and Related Repairers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of auto body technicians are women?
Women make up 4.2% of automotive body and related repairers, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation. Only 16.2% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce. The median worker is 40.7 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.