What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the U.S. earn more than $50,620 a year — the middle 80% land between $34,660 and $81,790. About 704,640 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$50,620typical pay / year
704,640people in this work
$81,790+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing3
Inspect vehicles for damage
+Inspect the incoming Toyota Corolla and Ford Transit for collision and hail damage, list visible dents, frame…
Inspect vehicles for damage
+Inspect the incoming Toyota Corolla and Ford Transit for collision and hail damage, list visible dents, frame misalignment, and fluid leaks, photograph each affected panel, estimate severity and parts likely needed, flag anything requiring engineer review.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Test parts and systems
+Test the cooling system and alternator on the Honda Civic with intermittent overheating: record coolant…
Test parts and systems
+Test the cooling system and alternator on the Honda Civic with intermittent overheating: record coolant pressure at idle and 3k rpm, run alternator load test for ten minutes, note temperature and voltage graphs, compare readings to factory tolerances and advise replacements.
The tools that do the workAmcom AUTOS2000job descriptionsO*NET
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Perform basic maintenance
+Perform the basic maintenance on the Peugeot 308 due Friday: change engine oil and filter, top up coolant and…
Perform basic maintenance
+Perform the basic maintenance on the Peugeot 308 due Friday: change engine oil and filter, top up coolant and screenwash, check tyre pressures and tread, lubricate hinges, record odometer and create a follow-up note if any wear items exceed threshold.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAjob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting1
Plan work procedures
+Plan the Thursday shift for bays 1–4: sequence jobs to minimise ramping, allocate two technicians to the…
Plan work procedures
+Plan the Thursday shift for bays 1–4: sequence jobs to minimise ramping, allocate two technicians to the engine rebuild, reserve diagnostic bay for intermittent-electric faults, order the brake pads and gasket kits arriving Wednesday, note expected labour hours per job.
The tools that do the workAlliance Automotive Shop ControllerESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Review work orders
+Review the five open work orders before lunch: confirm parts availability for the brake service, update ETA…
Review work orders
+Review the five open work orders before lunch: confirm parts availability for the brake service, update ETA on the engine rebuild one-day delay, close the completed tyre rotation with labour codes, and escalate the electrical fault to engineering with fault traces attached.
The tools that do the workAlliance Automotive Shop Controllerjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Diagnose automotive problems
+Diagnose the rough-idle complaint on the Mercedes C220: run live fuel-trim and ignition timing logs, check…
Diagnose automotive problems
+Diagnose the rough-idle complaint on the Mercedes C220: run live fuel-trim and ignition timing logs, check for vacuum leaks and MAF sensor drift, list probable causes with confidence levels and recommend targeted parts to replace first.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Test equipment used in motor vehicles
+Run the vehicle diagnostics and physical bench checks on the ABS module, log each instrument reading and any…
Test equipment used in motor vehicles
+Run the vehicle diagnostics and physical bench checks on the ABS module, log each instrument reading and any fault codes, confirm test equipment calibration status, and flag anomalies to engineering for immediate review before returning the car to the customer.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAESCO
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Record test procedures and results
+Record step-by-step test procedures and measured results for the engine compression, fuel pressure and…
Record test procedures and results
+Record step-by-step test procedures and measured results for the engine compression, fuel pressure and emissions tests, attach photos of gauges and timestamps, consolidate into the job sheet, and send the completed record to service manager for sign-off.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Make recommendations for changes
+Draft specific recommendations to adjust the fuel trim mapping and replace the failing EGR valve, include…
Make recommendations for changes
+Draft specific recommendations to adjust the fuel trim mapping and replace the failing EGR valve, include measured before-and-after data, estimated parts and labour, and route the proposal to the workshop foreman and the engineering contact for approval.
The tools that do the workAmcom AUTOS2000ESCO
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Repair, reline, replace brakes
+Replace and reline the front and rear brake assemblies on Mrs. Patel's 2014 Toyota Corolla, bench-fit new…
Repair, reline, replace brakes
+Replace and reline the front and rear brake assemblies on Mrs. Patel's 2014 Toyota Corolla, bench-fit new pads and shoes, torque caliper and wheel nuts to spec, bleed the system until firm pedal, test-drive and log readings before handback.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAjob descriptionsO*NET
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Align vehicles' front ends.
+Set up the alignment rack for Tom Reynolds' 2018 Ford Transit, record caster, camber and toe, adjust tie rods…
Align vehicles' front ends.
+Set up the alignment rack for Tom Reynolds' 2018 Ford Transit, record caster, camber and toe, adjust tie rods and control arms to factory values, tack the steering gear where needed, road-test for straight tracking and customer sign-off.
The tools that do the workAlliance Automotive Shop ControllerO*NET
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Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
+Perform a full chassis alignment on Fleet van V-12: shim and align wheels, correct axle offset, adjust frame…
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
+Perform a full chassis alignment on Fleet van V-12: shim and align wheels, correct axle offset, adjust frame shims and torsion bars, balance each wheel, set steering geometry to manufacturer tolerances, then document measurements and attach before-and-after prints.
The tools that do the workAmcom AUTOS2000AutoZone ALLDATAO*NET
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Maintain cleanliness of work area.
+Clean and organise bay three after the clutch job: remove all used rags and parts to hazardous waste,…
Maintain cleanliness of work area.
+Clean and organise bay three after the clutch job: remove all used rags and parts to hazardous waste, degrease the lift and floor, sweep and replace drip trays, restock consumables and photograph condition for shift handover.
The tools that do the workAlliance Automotive Shop ControllerO*NET
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Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
+Diagnose and rewire the ignition and dash loom on Gary's 2002 BMW E46: trace fault to chafed harness, replace…
Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
+Diagnose and rewire the ignition and dash loom on Gary's 2002 BMW E46: trace fault to chafed harness, replace section of loom, solder and shrink-wrap joints, test ignition circuit and dash illumination, then update the vehicle electrical log.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAO*NET
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Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
+Remove the door trims on Mrs. Lewis' convertible, replace the failed window regulator and lubricate tracks,…
Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
+Remove the door trims on Mrs. Lewis' convertible, replace the failed window regulator and lubricate tracks, adjust the motor engagement and limit stops so window seals correctly, cycle ten times and leave written tolerance and operation notes.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAO*NET
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Maintain information files
+Update the vehicle history folder for the 2014 Ford Transit: add the latest ECU calibration notes, upload the…
Maintain information files
+Update the vehicle history folder for the 2014 Ford Transit: add the latest ECU calibration notes, upload the wiring-change sketch from Tuesday, record parts fitted with suppliers and batch numbers, and flag any outstanding design queries for Steve in engineering.
The tools that do the workAlliance Automotive Shop Controllerjob descriptions
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Process paperwork
+Complete the invoice and labour sheet for Job 3721, attach the final parts list and time log, email the…
Process paperwork
+Complete the invoice and labour sheet for Job 3721, attach the final parts list and time log, email the signed estimate to customer Lisa Harding, and submit the paperwork to accounts so the workshop can order the front suspension parts tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookAlliance Automotive Shop Controllerjob descriptions
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Test drive vehicles
+Run a 10-mile test route in the customer's 2018 VW Caddy concentrating on the steering shimmy and hill climb,…
Test drive vehicles
+Run a 10-mile test route in the customer's 2018 VW Caddy concentrating on the steering shimmy and hill climb, log any noises, record temperatures and boost readings, then return and annotate the road-test section of the job card for Jordan to review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Use diagnostic equipment
+Connect the diagnostic lead to the 2016 Mercedes Sprinter, run a full systems scan, save the fault codes and…
Use diagnostic equipment
+Connect the diagnostic lead to the 2016 Mercedes Sprinter, run a full systems scan, save the fault codes and freeze frame data, clear non-persistent codes only after confirming with Emma, and export the report to the job folder for warranty evidence.
The tools that do the workAmcom AUTOS2000job descriptions
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Estimate repair costs
+Prepare a written estimate for the Audi A4: list parts, labour hours, VAT, and a two-week lead time for the…
Estimate repair costs
+Prepare a written estimate for the Audi A4: list parts, labour hours, VAT, and a two-week lead time for the timing kit, include optional repair sequences with cost differences, and send the estimate to procurement and customer approval before ordering parts.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Follow checklists
+Work through the pre-service checklist for the Nissan Qashqai on bay three, tick off fluids, brakes, lights…
Follow checklists
+Work through the pre-service checklist for the Nissan Qashqai on bay three, tick off fluids, brakes, lights and tyre pressures, note any failures with photos, add recommended follow-up actions to the job card and assign priority to items needing same-day attention.
The tools that do the workAutoZone ALLDATAjob descriptions
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses