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Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Critical-thinking skills. Automotive body and glass repairers evaluate vehicle damage and determine necessary repair strategies. In some cases, they must decide if a vehicle is “totaled,” or too damaged to justify the cost of repair.
Customer-service skills. Automotive body and glass repairers discuss auto body and glass problems, along with options to fix them, with customers. Workers must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions.
Detail oriented. Automotive body and glass repairers must pay close attention to detail. Restoring a damaged auto body or windshield requires workers to have a keen eye for even the smallest imperfection.
Dexterity. Automotive body repairers’ tasks, such as removing door panels, hammering out dents, and using hand tools to install parts, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.
Mechanical skills. Automotive body repairers must know which diagnostic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other power equipment and tools are appropriate for certain procedures and repairs. They must know how to apply the correct techniques and methods necessary to repair automobiles.
Physical strength. Automotive body and glass repairers must sometimes lift heavy parts, such as door panels and windshields.
Time-management skills. Automotive body and glass repairers must be timely in their repairs. For many people, their automobile is their primary mode of transportation.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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98% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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86% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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80% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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79% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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77% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. | |
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76% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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75% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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75% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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73% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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73% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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72% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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68% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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61% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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100% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
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99% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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97% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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88% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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87% | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? | |
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87% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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86% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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85% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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81% | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? | |
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80% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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78% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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78% | Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection - How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection? | |
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77% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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76% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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74% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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74% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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73% | Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling - How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling? | |
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72% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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70% | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? | |
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70% | Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? | |
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66% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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83% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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77% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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76% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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76% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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73% | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. | |
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72% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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72% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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72% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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70% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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70% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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70% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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69% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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68% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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66% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.
Automotive body repairers typically do the following:
Automotive glass installers and repairers typically do the following:
Automotive body and glass repairers can repair most damage from vehicle collisions and make vehicles look and drive like new. Repairs may be minor, such as replacing a cracked windshield, or major, such as replacing an entire door panel. After a major collision, the underlying frame of a car can become weakened or compromised. Body repairers restore the structural integrity of car frames to manufacturer specifications.
Body repairers use pneumatic tools and plasma cutters to remove damaged parts, such as bumpers and door panels. They also often use heavy-duty hydraulic jacks and hammers for major structural repairs, such as aligning the body. For some work, they use common hand tools, such as metal files, pliers, wrenches, hammers, and screwdrivers.
In some cases, body repairers complete an entire job by themselves. In other cases, especially in large shops, they use an assembly line approach in which they work as a team with each individual performing a specialized task.
Although body repairers sometimes prime and paint repaired parts, painting and coating workers generally perform these tasks.
Glass installers and repairers often travel to the customer’s location and perform their work in the field. They commonly use specialized tools such as vacuum pumps to fill windshield cracks and chips with a stabilizing resin. When windshields are badly damaged, they use knives to remove the damaged windshield, and then they secure the new windshield using a special urethane adhesive.
Automotive body and related repairers held about 153,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of automotive body and related repairers were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 61% |
| Automobile dealers | 16 |
| Self-employed workers | 8 |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 7 |
Automotive glass installers and repairers held about 21,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of automotive glass installers and repairers were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 66% |
| Self-employed workers | 19 |
| Construction | 3 |
Body repairers typically work indoors in body shops, which are often noisy. Most shops are well ventilated, so that dust and paint fumes can be dispersed. Glass installers and repairers often travel to the customer’s location to repair damaged windshields and window glass.
Automotive body and glass repairers sometimes work in awkward and cramped positions, and their work can be physically demanding.
Most automotive body and glass repairers work full time. When shops have to complete a backlog of work, overtime is common. This often includes working evenings and weekends.
Most employers prefer to hire automotive body and glass repairers who have completed a training program in automotive body or glass repair. Still, many new body and glass repairers begin work without previous training. Industry certification is increasingly important.
High school, trade and technical school, and community college programs in collision repair combine hands-on practice and technical instruction. Topics usually include electronics, repair cost estimation, and welding, all of which provide a strong educational foundation for a career as a body repairer.
Trade and technical school programs typically award certificates after 6 months to 1 year of study. Some community colleges offer 2-year programs in collision repair. Many of these schools also offer certificates for individual courses, so students can take classes part time or as needed.
New workers typically begin their on-the-job training by helping an experienced body repairer with basic tasks, such as fixing minor dents. As they gain experience, they move on to more complex work, such as aligning car frames. Some body repairers may become trained in as little as 1 year, but they generally need 2 or 3 years of hands-on training to become fully independent body repairers.
Basic automotive glass installation and repair can be learned in as little as 6 months, but becoming fully independent can take up to a year of training.
Workers who complete programs in collision repair often require significantly less on-the-job training. They typically advance to independent work more quickly than those who do not have the same level of education.
Throughout their careers, body repairers need to continue their training to keep up with rapidly changing automotive technology and materials. Body repairers are expected to develop their skills by reading technical manuals and by attending classes and seminars. Many employers regularly send workers to advanced training programs, such as those offered by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
Although not required, certification is recommended because it shows competence and usually brings higher pay. In some instances it is required for advancement beyond entry-level work.
Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a standard credential for body repairers. In addition, many vehicle and paint manufacturers have product certification programs that are used to train body repairers in specific technologies and repair methods.
A few states require a license to perform automotive glass installation and repair. Check with your state for more information.
Automotive body and glass repairers earn more money as they gain experience, and some may advance into management positions within body shops, especially those workers with 2- or 4-year degrees.
Overall employment of automotive body and glass repairers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
Despite limited employment growth, about 15,100 openings for automotive body and glass repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
New vehicles are getting safer, which will help reduce car accidents and, in turn, the need for repairs. Older vehicles, which may have fewer modern safety features, will continue to need repairs and create demand for these workers.
For more information about careers in automotive body and glass repair, visit
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Society of Collision Repair Specialists
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of automotive body and glass repairers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians |
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. |
See How to Become One | $70,740 |
|
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $46,970 |
|
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators |
Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. |
See How to Become One | $72,040 |
|
Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics |
Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses, trucks, or any vehicle with a diesel engine. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $54,360 |
|
Glaziers |
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, and other fixtures in buildings. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $48,720 |
|
Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians |
Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, and other industries. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $58,350 |
|
Painting and Coating Workers |
Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to a range of products. |
See How to Become One | $43,370 |