Car Mechanic Jobs

Do you a drive? If you do you have heard your car make weird noises at some point – click, clack, clank, clink, or clang? Most likely you didn’t know what the problem was and needed the advice and help of a professional car mechanic.

Car mechanics inspect, diagnose service, maintain, modify, and repair automobiles. It’s a broad job description because they have a big job. Car mechanics work with all sorts of cars, trucks, and buses both new and old.

Every car is different, but a good auto mechanic can fix them all.

At some point, every car owner will need a car mechanic. Ideally, car owners bring their car to a mechanic for routine maintenance like tire rotations or oil changes. But much of the time car mechanics are dealing with complaining customers who want their car fixed now. When a client comes to a car mechanic for help, the mechanic must listen to the client describe the problem, locate the problem, decide what parts are damaged, investigate the best way to fix everything, and quote a price.

Diagnosing the problem may be the hardest part of this job because there are so many things that can go wrong with a big machine. It can literally take all 6 senses – sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, and experience. Experience is critical to quickly and accurately solve problems.

Also See: diesel mechanic jobs on JobMonkey.

Car problems can range from loose screws to busted transmissions to collision repairs. Mechanics have to be able to deal with any and all issues that come up. It’s difficult to quote clients an accurate price for the work, which can be frustrating for any car owner.

Every year there are new cars on the roads. This means that mechanics have to stay up to date on what might roll into the shop. New trends, systems, parts, and fuels are hitting the market each year. Mechanics never stop learning about engines, brakes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, fuel systems, and computers. They have to love automobiles if they want this career.

Car mechanics learn the trade by working on their own cars or apprenticing with other mechanics. Mechanics are required to have a high school diploma and many begin learning this trade in high school with the Automotive Youth Educational System.

After they gain experience, they can become certified through the Automotive Service Excellence or the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. There are multiple certifications that a mechanic can earn and each certification means more money and more job selection. Most employers require certification for employment.

Car mechanics find work at car dealerships, service shops, corporations, repair shops, or government agencies. They work in well-ventilated garages with lots of tools. Some mechanics specialize in a type of car, like Lexus, or in parts of cars, like diesel engines.

Every job a mechanic does is messy so plan to get oil and grease on everything. It’s a hands-on job.

The daily life of a car mechanic may consist of rotating tires, lubricating engines, fixing computers, changing oil, repairing transmissions, fixing air conditioners, modifying shocks, replacing windshield wipers, installing brake pads, doing collision repairs, plus plenty of other things. It’s fun because no two days are the same.

Car mechanics may work 40 to 50 hours per week. On average a car mechanic can plan to make $15 to $28 per hour or between $28,000 and $45,000 per year.

Car mechanics are valuable troubleshooters. They keep cars running so people’s daily lives can continue. It’s a very important job that the multi-billion dollar car industry couldn’t survive without.

Quick Facts About Car Mechanic Work

Job Title: Automotive Mechanic
Office: Garage
Description: Maintain, modify, inspect, service, and repair automobiles
Certifications/Education: Automotive Service Excellence certification is required
Necessary Skills: Knowledge of cars and parts
Potential Employers: Dealerships, Private Shops, and Corporations
Pay: $15 to $28 per hour, or $28,000 to $45,000 per year

Helpful Car Mechanic Employment Links:

Search Car Mechanic Jobs on JobMonkey
Automotive Service Association
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Automotive Youth Educational Systems
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
Auto School Guide