What Is an Automotive Service Manager?

There are many different positions to fill at automotive repair shops and car dealerships. One of these roles is an automotive service manager, who is responsible for overseeing the operations at a shop and ensuring that things are running well. They are there to help the staff as well as maintain relationships with customers to build and maintain a successful service department.

It’s important for automotive service managers to have a background of automotive knowledge and experience in the industry so they can keep things running well at a dealership or shop. Communication skills and the ability to problem solve are just a couple of qualities a service manager should have.

People come to the service department when they need something checked on their vehicle. Vehicle problems can be stressful, so it’s important that the experience a customer has is as positive as possible. An automotive service manager plays a crucial part in making this happen!

If this role sounds like it might interest you, keep reading to find out how to become an automotive service manager and more about what they do on a daily basis.

Automotive Service Manager Job Description

Before pursuing a role as an automotive service manager, it can help to know what they do. While an individual’s duties might vary depending on the shop or dealership they work at, goals generally remain the same across the board.

Automotive service managers are responsible for overseeing the entire service department, ensuring it is profitable and running smoothly.

Some of their duties can include:

• Hiring, training and managing employees.
• Preparing an annual operating budget.
• Keeping a record of accounts and financial information.
• Focusing on customer retention by building relationships.
• Managing and controlling costs.
• Keeping track of service and inventory records.
• Ordering parts and supplies as needed.
• Forecasting goals and objectives for the department.
• Implementing a marketing plan to promote business.
• Maintaining relations with executives and factory representatives.
• Contacting clients regarding the status of vehicles.
• Overseeing post-repair services (vehicle delivery, test driving, etc.).

How to Become an Automotive Service Manager

There are a few paths you can take to become an automotive service manager. Some may choose to pursue higher education at a traditional university and get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field; however, this isn’t required.

Having experience working at a dealership or shop can be very valuable when it comes to pursuing this job. A lot of automotive service managers have a background in automotive repair. It’s possible to work your way up from a certified technician or service advisor to a management role.

Attending an automotive-focused program at a trade school like Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is a great way to gain the foundation and training needed to start on a path toward becoming an automotive service manager.¹ Trade school can be a great alternative to traditional schooling, as it typically takes less time and can cost less.

UTI’s Automotive Technology program spans 51 weeks and can help graduates prepare for entry-level roles in the industry.⁷ Courses offered in the program provide a foundational education that can be applied in positions within the industry. These include a range of service and repair courses as well as automotive service writing, which can help students learn important written and verbal communication skills that are useful in a dealership setting.

Apart from having either education or hands-on experience, those interested in becoming a service manager will likely need to have certification from the National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE). Certification from ASE can distinguish you from others in the field.

You can earn ASE certification by completing two years of on-the-job training and passing a written test. Training at UTI will give you a head start, however, as graduates earn one of the two years of work experience required to test for ASE certification.

READ: 8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC SCHOOL

Automotive Service Manager Job Outlook and Salary

Getting insight into the job outlook and salary for an automotive service manager is smart when you’re thinking of pursuing it as a career. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide specific information or data for automotive service manager salary or outlook.

BLS data does give insight and information for related roles, including automotive service technicians and mechanics. Many managers end up starting in these positions. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States was $47,770 in May 2023.²⁵ 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.

Automotive Service Manager FAQs

What are the steps to becoming an automotive service manager?

The path to a career as an automotive service manager may look different for everyone, but gaining experience as an automotive technician or mechanic is important to understand how the industry works. Getting trained at a trade school like UTI can give you the background of knowledge that can be built upon and, eventually, with hard work and experience, lend itself to a role in management.⁷⁷

What are the job responsibilities of an automotive service manager?

The responsibilities of a service manager can vary depending on the setting they’re working in, but typical responsibilities include managing staff, attending to customers and providing customer service, managing workflow and budgeting.

What is the average salary for an automotive service manager?

While the BLS doesn’t provide specific information for automotive service manager salaries, knowing what the average salary is for techs and mechanics can be a helpful starting point. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States was $47,770 in May 2023.²⁵

Interested in Becoming an Automotive Service Manager?

Does becoming an automotive service manager sound like a good career path for you? UTI’s Automotive Technology program is a great place to start. Having an automotive trade school background and hands-on training can help you build a foundation for your future.¹⁸ You’ll be prepared for an entry-level position as a technician and have a basis of knowledge that can expand into new opportunities.

You can graduate in less than a year prepared for whatever career path you decide to take.⁷ If you’re interested in finding out more about UTI’s Automotive Technology program, which is offered at locations nationwide, you can request more information here.