What Automotive Body and Related Repairers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Automotive Body and Related Repairers this way: "Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools"; "Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint"; "Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take"; "Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment"; "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Automotive Body and Related Repairers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 163,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 169,300 in 2035, an increase of 6,100 jobs (+3.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 12,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 8.5% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $54,890, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,382 in New York to $58,108 in New Jersey, a gap of $2,726 (1.05 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $54,890 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 11,660, which is 51.1% of the 22,820 counted across them. New York follows with 11,160.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($58,108) and New York ($55,382) lead the ranking, while New York ($55,382) and New Jersey ($58,108) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (49-3000) include Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians and Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.
Frequently asked questions about Automotive Body and Related Repairers
What is the national median wage for Automotive Body and Related Repairers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $54,890. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,382 to $58,108.
Which state pays Automotive Body and Related Repairers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $58,108. New York is next at $55,382.
What is the job outlook for Automotive Body and Related Repairers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 12,600 openings a year.
What education do Automotive Body and Related Repairers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.