Occupation Summary

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

O*NET 49-3021.00

Description:

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Annual Wages:
$53,564.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 12.94%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
  2. Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
  3. Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  4. Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
  5. Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
  6. Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  7. Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
  8. Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
  9. Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
  10. Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
  11. Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
  12. Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
  13. Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
  14. Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
  15. Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
  16. Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
  17. Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
  18. Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
  19. Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.
  20. Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
  21. Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
  22. Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
  23. Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
  24. Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
  25. Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Automotive Body and Related Repairers employed Annual Growth Rate
Automotive repair and maintenance 67.9 0.46
Automobile dealers 16.2 -0.88


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $25.75
2023 National average hourly wage $26.55
2022 National employment 153,300
2022 Texas employment 13,921
Texas projected employment by 2032 15,723
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 1,445




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
71.60%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
65.00%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
62.60%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
60.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
59.20%
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
59.00%
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
55.00%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
51.20%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
50.60%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
49.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
65.00%
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
62.40%
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
60.00%
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
60.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
60.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
60.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
60.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
57.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
70.00%
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
67.60%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
67.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
65.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
65.00%
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
65.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.00%
Visual Color Discrimination
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
65.00%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
62.40%


  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
    -- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • 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.



Tools

Adjustable widemouth pliers: Adjustable widemouth pliers;

Adjustable wrenches: Adjustable wrenches;

Air compressors: Air compressors;

Anvils: Anvils;

Blow torch: Oxyacetylene torches; Blow torches;

Calipers: Calipers; Vernier calipers;

Chisel bit: Spot weld breakers;

Cold chisels: Cold chisels;

Depth gauges: Depth gauges;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Dial indicator or dial gauge: Dial indicators;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Drill press or radial drill: Drill presses;

Feeler gauges: Feeler gauges;

Fluorescent lamps: Fluorescent lights;

Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus: Gas arc welding equipment;

Goggles: Welding goggles;

Grease guns: Grease guns;

Hammers: Pick hammers; Dent hammers;

Heat guns: Hot air guns;

Height gauges: Height gauges;

Hoists: Hoists;

Impact wrenches: Impact wrenches;

Infrared lamps: Infrared IR paint curing units;

Jacks: Hydraulic jacks; Jacks;

Knife blades: Double-edged blades;

Laser printers: Laser printers;

Lifts: Hydraulic automobile lifts;

Manual press brake: Hand brakes;

Metal cutters: Double-edged cutter tools; Panel cutters; Pneumatic metal cutting guns;

Metal inert gas welding machine: Metal inert gas MIG welders;

Micrometers: Micrometers;

Mill saw file: Single-cut mill saw files;

Nut drivers: Nut drivers;

Paint application system: Spray booths;

Paint sprayers: Paint sprayers; High velocity low pressure HVLP spray equipment;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Pitch measuring instruments: Pitch gauges;

Pneumatic grinders: Pneumatic grinders;

Pneumatic hammer: Pneumatic hammers; Pneumatic smoothing hammers; Air chisels; Air hammers;

Pneumatic press: Pneumatic panel crimpers;

Pneumatic sanding machines: Suction feed sandblasters; Pressure feed sandblasters;

Power buffers: Portable buffers; Machine polishers; Buffing machines;

Power drills: Power drills;

Power grinders: Grinders;

Power sanders: Media blasters; Power sanders;

Power saws: Body saws;

Pressure indicators: Air pressure gauges; Pressure gauges;

Pressure or steam cleaners: Pressure washers; Steam cleaning equipment;

Protective gloves: Safety gloves;

Protective hood: Safety hoods;

Pry bars: Pry bars;

Pullers: Pull rods; T pullers; Slide hammers; Pick pull rods;

Punches or nail sets or drifts: Power punches;

Rasps: Surforms;

Ratchets: Ratchets;

Razor knives: Scrapers;

Respirators: Respirators;

Rivet tools: Pop rivet guns; Rivet busters;

S hooks: S-hooks;

Safety glasses: Safety glasses;

Sanding blocks: Sanding blocks;

Screwdrivers: Screwdrivers;

Shears: Power shears; Foot shears; Hand shears;

Socket sets: Socket sets; Socket wrench sets;

Soldering iron: Soldering equipment;

Spatulas: Bondo spreaders;

Spot welding machine: Portable welding machines; Resistance spot welding equipment;

Squares: Alignment squares;

Stamping dies or punches: Punches;

Stencils or lettering aids: Paint stencils;

Suction cups: Suction cups;

Telescoping gauge: Telescoping gauges;

Trim or molding tools: Crown spoons; Door skin dollies; Heavy duty inside spoons; Heel dollies; General purpose spoons; Slapping spoons; Spoon dollies; Toe dollies; Universal railroad dollies;

Tungsten inert gas welding machine: Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment;

Utility knives: Windshield knives;

Wedges: Wedges;

Welder torch: Brazing equipment;

Welding electrode: Welding electrodes;

Welding generator: Weld current controllers;

Welding masks: Welding helmets; Welding hoods;

Welding or cutting tip: Welding tips;

Welding or soldering kit: Stud welder kits;

Wheel alignment equipment: Frame alignment equipment; Alignment machines;

Wire brushes: Stainless steel brushes;

Workshop cranes: Hydraulic cranes;


Technology

Accounting software: Accounting software; Accounts receivable software;

Analytical or scientific software: Collision damage estimation software; Collision damage measurement software; Paint mixing and matching software; Swan River Estimiser Pro;

Calendar and scheduling software: Appointment scheduling software;

Data base user interface and query software: Equipment management information software; AutoZone ALLDATA;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Inventory management software: Inventory management software; Materials management software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Point of sale POS software: Automotive and Accounting Software by R*KOM Invoice Writer;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Microsoft OneNote;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Automotive Body and Related Repairers include:
  • 51-2011.00 Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
  • 49-3022.00 Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
  • 49-3023.00 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
  • 49-3031.00 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
  • 49-2092.00 Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
  • 51-2031.00 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
  • 51-9022.00 Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
  • 49-3052.00 Motorcycle Mechanics
  • 49-3043.00 Rail Car Repairers
  • 51-9197.00 Tire Builders

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.