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There are many opportunities in the automotive industry for technicians who have the right education and experience. One specialization an auto tech might pursue is the role of an automotive electrician.
An auto electrician, also known as a car electrician, knows how to install and maintain wiring and electrical systems in a variety of vehicles. Electronics are present in many parts of a car, from the various lighting components to the ignition and transmission systems.
If working as an auto electrician sounds interesting, keep reading to find out more about the job outlook, responsibilities and more!
Automotive electricians have specialized knowledge to make repairs on vehicles’ electrical circuits and wiring.
What do auto electricians fix? They can work on any systems that feature electronic components, including:
Repairing and maintaining these parts and systems can fill the day of an auto electrician. Job duties can include:
These are just a few of the daily tasks an auto electrician might handle, though they can vary given the amount of complex electrical equipment today’s vehicles feature.
When considering whether to pursue a career path, it can help to research possible salary ranges and get a general job outlook for the industry. Those who end up working as automotive electricians often start as entry-level automotive service technicians to gain knowledge of different vehicle systems.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a great resource for gauging the outlook and salary of different positions. While there is no BLS data available specifically for automotive electricians, the BLS does offer insight on automotive technicians and related roles.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States was $46,970 in May 2022.25 This means half of automotive technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
There’s a real demand for skilled trade professionals, making starting on the path to becoming an auto electrician exciting. In fact, there are more than 68,000 estimated average annual automotive job openings available in the U.S.41
The right education and training are important for someone interested in pursuing a career as an auto electrician. Given the large number of electrical systems and components in late-model vehicles, having knowledge and hands-on experience working on cars is important before working in a more specialized role.
Like many other roles in the skilled trades, basic education in the form of a high school diploma or GED is crucial. Specialized training or certifications are typically not required, though this might vary depending on the specific sector of the industry.
One of the best ways to gain the foundational knowledge needed to learn how to become an automotive electrician is to attend a trade school. For example, the Automotive Technology program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) teaches students how to maintain and repair issues on both domestic and foreign vehicles.
At UTI, students become familiar with a range of car systems, and in electronic technology classes they learn how electricity functions in a vehicle. Students learn how to use tools like oscilloscopes and multimeters to read and diagnose issues within different electrical components.
Having this foundation of knowledge can help you when starting in the industry. With the skills you gain from UTI and hard work, you can specialize your craft and align it to match the requirements of an automotive electrician position.1
If the role of an automotive electrician sounds like it would be a good fit for you, getting hands-on training at a trade school can be a great first step. Applying to UTI’s Automotive Technology program that includes auto electrician courses can help get you started toward a future you’re excited about.
Students can graduate from the program in less than a year7 and be ready to apply for entry-level jobs in the workforce. To find out more, request more information today!
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1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.
25) UTI’s Automotive Technology Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as automotive technicians. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for UTI graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as an automotive technician, such as service writer, smog inspector, and parts associate. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (49-3023) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $32,140 to $53,430 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2020 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageSpecificOccupations#). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled automotive technicians in North Carolina is $21.80 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $15.23 and $13.48, respectively.
41) For Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 73,300 job openings between 2021 and 2031. Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements. See Table 1.10 Occupational separations and openings, projected 2021-31, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed October 13, 2022. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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