Automotive Service Technician

• 4.Colorado$59K

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Automotive Service Technician

O*NET-SOC:

Trades

Inspects, maintains, and repairs automobiles and light trucks, using diagnostic equipment, hand tools, and electronic testing devices to identify and fix mechanical and electrical problems.

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$50K

Median Salary

+4%

Stable

High School Diploma

Min. Education

Moderate Balance

Work-Life Balance

About This Role

Automotive service technicians spend their days diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining cars and light trucks. They work in shop bays equipped with hydraulic lifts, hand tools, and computerized diagnostic scanners that read data from a vehicle's onboard computer. A typical morning might start with connecting a scanner to identify why a dashboard warning light came on, then cross-referencing the results with service manuals to determine whether the issue is a faulty sensor, a worn spark plug, or something deeper like a fuel system problem. From there, the work shifts between scheduled maintenance tasks like oil changes, brake replacements, and tire rotations, and more involved repairs such as rebuilding transmissions or replacing engines.

A Day in the Life

8:00 AM

Review repair orders

Arrive at the shop, check the day's repair board, and prioritize vehicles based on urgency and appointment times.

8:30 AM

Diagnose engine issue

Raise a customer's truck on the lift, connect a diagnostic scanner to the onboard computer, and read error codes to identify the problem.

10:00 AM

Brake service

Remove worn brake pads and rotors from a sedan, measure components for wear, install replacements, and test the braking system.

12:00 PM

Lunch break

Take a break in the shop break room and check on parts orders for afternoon jobs.

12:45 PM

Transmission work

Disassemble an automatic transmission that has been slipping, inspect internal components for wear, and clean parts before reassembly.

2:30 PM

Electrical troubleshooting

Use a multimeter to trace a wiring fault in an SUV, repair damaged connections, clear the stored error codes, and road-test the vehicle.

4:30 PM

Routine maintenance

Perform an oil change, tire rotation, and fluid top-off on a fleet van, then update the vehicle's service record.

5:30 PM

Wrap up and clean bay

Log completed work on each repair order, clean the work area, and brief the service advisor on the status of remaining vehicles.

Tools & Technologies

• Web Browsers
  • Apple Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox
• Email
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • IBM Notes
• Spreadsheets
  • Microsoft Excel
• Office Suites
  • Microsoft Office
• Operating Systems
  • Microsoft Windows
• Word Processing
  • Microsoft Word

Salary Details

Salary Distribution

Salary distribution for Automotive Service Technician: 10th percentile $34K, 25th $38K, median $50K, 75th $66K, 90th $81K Median $34K $38K $50K $66K $81K

Most professionals earn between $38K and $66K

Automotive Service Technician salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $34K 25th $38K 50th (Median) $50K 75th $66K 90th $81K

Salary by State

Automotive Service Technician salary by state map

District of Columbia $71K $44K - $90K

California $63K $38K - $94K

Alaska $62K $39K - $99K

Colorado $59K $39K - $93K

New Hampshire $58K $37K - $79K

Washington $58K $39K - $87K

Maryland $58K $35K - $85K

Massachusetts $57K $38K - $83K

Minnesota $57K $38K - $80K

New Jersey $57K $35K - $89K

Montana $57K $37K - $76K

Oregon $57K $38K - $80K

Virginia $56K $35K - $91K

Connecticut $56K $37K - $80K

New York $52K $35K - $91K

North Dakota $51K $38K - $81K

Wisconsin $51K $37K - $79K

Rhode Island $51K $31K - $82K

Hawaii $51K $36K - $79K

Illinois $50K $34K - $85K

Delaware $50K $34K - $81K

Vermont $50K $40K - $75K

Pennsylvania $50K $34K - $76K

Arizona $49K $36K - $92K

Maine $49K $38K - $73K

Michigan $49K $32K - $80K

Nebraska $49K $33K - $79K

Georgia $49K $30K - $82K

Texas $49K $31K - $82K

North Carolina $49K $31K - $78K

Florida $49K $32K - $79K

South Dakota $48K $37K - $78K

Iowa $48K $35K - $78K

Nevada $48K $33K - $82K

Indiana $48K $34K - $76K

Tennessee $47K $33K - $79K

Idaho $47K $31K - $76K

New Mexico $47K $30K - $78K

Kansas $47K $31K - $76K

Ohio $47K $31K - $77K

Utah $47K $32K - $76K

Missouri $47K $33K - $76K

Louisiana $46K $28K - $78K

South Carolina $46K $28K - $78K

Wyoming $46K $33K - $79K

Alabama $46K $31K - $77K

Arkansas $44K $30K - $75K

Oklahoma $42K $28K - $81K

Kentucky $40K $28K - $69K

Mississippi $38K $28K - $76K

West Virginia $36K $28K - $63K

Lower ($36K-$54K)Middle (~$54K)Higher ($54K-$71K)

Highest Paying States

• 1.District of Columbia$71K
• 2.California$63K
• 3.Alaska$62K
• 4.Colorado$59K
• 5.New Hampshire$58K

Lowest Paying States

• 1.West Virginia$36K
• 2.Mississippi$38K
• 3.Kentucky$40K
• 4.Oklahoma$42K
• 5.Arkansas$44K

Certifications, Training & Memberships

Essential

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification (A-Series)

ASE

Certification

Comprehensive exams covering engine repair, brakes, suspension, and more, validating core skills for vehicle maintenance.

EPA Section 609 Certification

Environmental Protection Agency

Certification

Mandated for technicians handling motor vehicle air conditioning refrigerants, ensuring safe recovery and recycling.

Recommended

ASE Master Automobile Technician

ASE

Certification

Requires passing all eight automotive tests plus work experience, designating top expertise across vehicle systems.

Professional Memberships

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE