# Automotive Body and Related Repairers

> Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/automotive-body-and-related-repairers
- SOC code: 49-3021.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $54,890 (10th percentile $36,910, 90th percentile $87,940)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.7%
- Openings a year: 12,600
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 10 |
| Artistic (A) | 7 |
| Social (S) | 1 |
| Enterprising (E) | 8 |
| Conventional (C) | 39 |

## What you'd do

- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 72/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 72/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 70/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)
- Processing Information (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Repairing, Troubleshooting, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Time Management, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, Production and Processing, Mathematics, English Language, Transportation, Engineering and Technology, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Administration and Management

## Also called

Auto Body Customizer, Auto Body Detailer, Auto Body Estimator (Automotive Body Estimator), Auto Body Man, Auto Body Mechanic, Auto Body Paint Prepper (Automotive Body Paint Prepper), Auto Body Paint Tech (Automotive Body Paint Technician), Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech), Auto Body Repairer, Auto Body Repairman

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4706) (CIP 4706, 713 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide-910) | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $77,491 | $87,797 | $21,986 |
| [SUNY Morrisville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/suny-morrisville-2657) | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $51,819 | $61,351 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics): $50,620 median pay
- [Rail Car Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rail-car-repairers): $67,530 median pay
- [Tire Builders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tire-builders): $57,390 median pay
- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay
- [Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electric-motor-power-tool-and-related-repairers): $56,210 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.