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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Part of Transportation, Distribution & Logistics, in the Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 49-3023.00

What the work is

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

On a typical day

  • Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
  • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
  • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
  • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
  • Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
  • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.

What it pays

$46,880
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $29,860
Experienced workers reach $80,840
  1. $30k10th
  2. $37k25th
  3. $47kMedian
  4. $61k75th
  5. $81k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $29,860, 25th $36,550, Median $46,880, 75th $60,990, 90th $80,840

About 6,320 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+13.4%

employment change in the Alamo region, 7,189 to 8,151 jobs · U.S. +4%

717

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 70,000

7,189

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 805,600

Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award · Training: Short-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Repairing3.8
  2. Troubleshooting3.8
  3. Critical Thinking3.5
  4. Operations Monitoring3.3
  5. Equipment Maintenance3.5
  6. Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  7. Operation and Control2.9
  8. Active Listening2.8

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less43%
  2. Certificate50%
  3. Some college6%
  4. Associate degree1%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • St. Philip's
  1. Automotive Technology

    Degree · Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

  2. General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP)

    Degree · Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

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