Expand mobile version menu

Automotive Body Repairer

salary graphic

AVG. SALARY

$41,440

education graphic

EDUCATION

Post-secondary training +

job outlook graphic

JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Automotive Body and Related Repairers Career Video

About This Career

Repairs and refinishes automotive vehicle bodies and straightens vehicle frames.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Files, grinds, sands, and smooths filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
  • Inspects repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drives vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
  • Fits and welds replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grinds down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
  • Primes and paints repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  • Follows supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  • Sands body areas to be painted and covers bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
  • Chains or clamps frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
  • Positions dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beats opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
  • Cuts and tapes plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and removes tape and washes surfaces after repairs are complete.
  • Reviews damage reports, prepares or reviews repair cost estimates, and plans work to be performed.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
  • Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
  • Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
  • Work in this occupation involves kneeling, crouching, stooping, and/or crawling more than one-third of the time
  • Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
  • Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves use of special protective items such as a breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suit, or radiation protection
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Auto Body Man
  • Auto Body Repairman
  • Body Man
  • Refinish Technician (Refinish Tech)
  • Frame Man
  • Collision Technician (Collision Tech)
  • Body Technician (Body Tech)
  • Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech)
  • Collision Repair Technician (Collision Repair Tech)
  • Automotive Body Technician (Auto Body Tech)