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Transportation

Automotive Body Repairer

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Annual openings

320

BLS median wage

$59,880

Typical education

High school (GED)

10-year growth

+9%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

High school (GED)

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  5. Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  6. Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.