Repair and Maintenance

Economic Impact

In total, the automotive repair and maintenance industry generates around $838 billion a year for U.S. companies.

Types of Repair Shops

Before we cover the occupations and activities in this industry, we first want to highlight the different types of shops.  This is important because the newbb电子 found in each will be slightly different.  You will find a lot more welders in body shops than in paint shops, so it makes sense that this sub-industry requires more welding protection.

Overall Key Companies

Most auto mechanics and body shops are likely to be small companies, operating in an independent garage and in a specific geographic location.  Many of them compete based on the quality of their work, their reputation, and their price.  With that said, there are also some large national companies competing in this market space.

The following is a list of some of the largest companies within this industry.

Employment Numbers

Demand looks strong for automotive repairs, as all machines break sooner or later.  There are more cars on the road today than ever before, which is understandable since worldwide production of vehicles has been climbing over the past 30 years.  This means that more cars will need service at some point, which in turn means there is a need for more and more workers in this industry.

Yet, even with an increased demand for mechanics and technicians, the supply of qualified technicians has not kept up.  The shortage of technicians is starting to affect this industry at a time when vehicles are loaded with tons of advanced technology.

Even with a shortage, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) eports high levels of employment for each NAICS in this sub-industry, which speaks to the overall volume of repairs taking place.  Automotive repair and maintenance jobs employ around 928,000 workers.  Body shops employ around 275,000 workers.

Here is a closer look at employment in the different types of shops:

Occupations

 

Cars and their technology are changing at an alarming rate.  This means that automotive repair workers find themselves operating in a challenging work environment and must undergo continuous training to learn the new technology.  The top three occupations found in this industry are the following:

1. Maintenance worker
2. Mechanics
3. Service Technicians

 

A wide variety of career opportunities are available.  Here's a look at the various jobs found in this automobile industry.

• Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Workers  

  Lubricate machines, change parts, and perform machinery maintenance. The automotive repair industry employs over 445,000 of these workers. You will find these workers cleaning machines and machine parts. Cleaning solvents, oil, and metalworking fluids are a definite concern for these workers.  Common job titles for this position are Lubricator, Maintenance Man, and Oiler.

• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics 

  Repair or overhaul mobile equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors used in construction. There are roughly 8,000 of these workers found in repair and maintenance.. You will find these workers replacing worn parts and reassembling equipment using hand tools. Common job titles for this position are Heavy Equipment Technician, Field Mechanic, and Equipment Mechanic.

• Automotive Technicians and Repairers 

  Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. There are roughly 34,000 of these workers in automotive repair. You will find this worker replacing defective mechanical parts, disassembling and reassembling equipment, and rebuilding components.  Technicians commonly specialize in air-conditioning, brakes, and transmissions.  Work is typically performed in an enclosed vehicle, where workers are exposed to contaminants, and they spend a lot of time using their hands.  Common job titles for this occupation are Automotive Service Technician, Master Technician, and Mechanic.

• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 

  Replace defective mechanical parts, disassemble and reassemble equipment, and rebuild components.  There are roughly 22,000 of these workers in automotive repair.  They repair automobiles, trucks, buses and other vehicles. These workers are typically in an enclosed vehicle, are exposed to contaminants, and spend a lot of time using their hands.  Common job titles for this occupation are Automotive Service Technician, Master Technician, and Mechanic.

• Material Moving Workers 

  Around 153,000 of these workers help move material and vehicles in automotive repair.  That is a large number of hands needing to be protected.  You will find these workers operating conveyors, transporting materials, and operating machines. Common job titles are Laborer and Operator.

• Laborers and Material Movers by Hand 

  Move materials, objects, and stock.  There are over 150,000 of these workers in automotive repair.  Machine feeders also fall into this worker group. Common job titles for this position are Line Tender, Laborer, and Materials Handler.  Due to the use of one’s hands in these jobs, wearing gloves is necessary.

• Vehicle and Equipment Cleaners 

  Wash and clean vehicles and machinery. There are over 149,000 of these workers in automotive repair.  You will find this worker connecting hoses, installing parts, and removing debris.  These workers use materials such as water, cleaning agents, and hoses.  Common job titles for this occupation are Auto Detailer and Car Washer.

• Automotive Body and Related Repairers  

  Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.  There are over 101,000 of these workers in automotive repair and maintenance.  You will find this worker smoothing surfaces of objects, cutting materials, removing dents, and installing machine parts. They repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies.  These workers stand most of the time, spend a lot of time using their hands, and are exposed to many contaminants.  Common job titles for this occupation include Auto Body Man, Auto Body Repair Technician, Body and Frame Man, Body Man, and Body Technician.

• Painting Workers 

  Apply paint coatings, clean production equipment, and position work pieces.  There are roughly 27,000 of these workers in the automotive repair industry. They paint and coat surfaces. These workers are exposed to many contaminants.  Common job titles for this occupation are Painter and Spray Painter.

• Transportation Equipment Painters 

  Polish work pieces, mix ingredients, and operate painting equipment.  There are roughly 27,000 of these workers in the automotive repair industry.  They operate machines to paint the surfaces of automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes.  These workers are exposed to many hazardous conditions and to many contaminants. Common job titles for this occupation are Automotive Painter, Finish Painter, and Paint Technician.

• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 

  Repair and overhaul buses, trucks, and diesel engines.  There are around 23,600 of these workers in automotive repair.  You will find these workers dismantling heavy equipment, grinding parts, and lubricating equipment.  These workers spend a lot of time using their hands to feel objects and use tools.  Common job titles for this occupation are Bus Mechanic, Fleet Mechanic, Mechanic, and Truck Mechanic.

• Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers 

  Replace and repair broken windshields and window glass in automobiles.  There are roughly 18,000 workers in this sector of automotive repair.  You will find this worker replacing vehicle glass, painting surfaces, and adjusting vehicle components.  These workers are exposed to sharp broken glass and need great hand dexterity for removing screws and bolts.  Common job titles for this job occupation are Auto Glazier, Glass Installer, Glass Technician, and Windshield Installer.

• Helpers  

  Supply or hold materials, in addition to cleaning work areas and equipment.  There are around 16,000 of these workers in the automotive repair industry.  You will find these workers attaching cables, changing machine gears, and handling a lot of material.  All of these activities make gloves extremely important.  Common job titles for this position are Laborer, Press Helper, and Material Handler.

• Tire Repairers and Changers 

  Repair and replace tires.  There are roughly 7,000 of these workers in the automotive repair industry.  You will find these workers remounting wheels, removing puncturing objects, and assisting mechanics.  Common job titles for this occupation are Service Technician, Tire Buster, and Tire Technician.

• Building Cleaning and Pest Control Workers 

  Clean facilities and treat facilities/surfaces with protective substances.  There are roughly 4,800 of these workers in automotive repair.  You will find this worker applying and releasing chemical solutions/toxic gases, along with setting traps to kill or remove pests.  These workers are exposed to outdoor weather and contaminants.  Common job titles are Pest Control Technician and Pest Technician.

• Janitors and Cleaners 

  Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition.  There are roughly 4,800 of these workers found in the automotive repair industry.  You will find this worker performing heavy-duty cleaning or simply cleaning snow/debris from sidewalks.  Common job titles are Cleaner, Custodian, and Janitor.

• Maintenance and Repair Workers 

  Keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of an establishment in repair. There are around 2,800 of these workers in the automotive repair industry. You will find these workers pipe fitting, repairing equipment, and repairing buildings. Job titles for this position are Maintenance Worker, Maintenance Mechanic, and Facilities Manager.

• Metal and Plastic Workers 

  Operate machines designed to cut, shape, and form metal.  There are roughly 2,100 employees found in this occupation in the automotive repair industry.  You will find these workers fabricating metal products, lifting heavy materials, and working with their hands.  Common job titles for this position are Sheet Metal Worker and Welder.

• Assemblers and Fabricators 

  Assemble finished products and parts.  There are around 1,200 of these workers in automotive repair.  You will find this worker assembling bolts, using many different types of tools, and moving heavy parts.  They construct finished products and the parts that go into them.  These workers use many tools, machines, and, most importantly, need their hands protected.  Common job titles for this occupation are Assembler and Fabricator.

• Welding Cutters and Fitters 

  Use hand welding, flame-cutting, hand soldering, and brazing equipment to weld/join metal components and to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.  There are around 1,000 of these workers employed in the automotive repair industry.  You will find these workers welding components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.  Common job titles for this position are Maintenance Welder, Mig Welder, and Welder/Fabricator.

• Welding, Soldering and Brazing Machine Operators 

  Operate welding, soldering, or brazing machines that weld, braze, or heat treat metal products.  There are around 1,000 of these workers found in the automotive repair industry.  You will find these workers adding material to work pieces, joining metal components, and annealing finished work pieces.  Common job titles for this position are Fabricator, Mig Welder, Spot Welder, Fitter-Welder, and Braze Operator.

• Construction Trades Workers 

  Perform tasks involving physical labor.  There are roughly 1,000 of these workers in automotive repair.  They operate hand and power tools of all types.  You will find these workers preparing sites, digging trenches, erecting scaffolding, applying paint to surfaces, applying sealants, and assembling structures.  Common job titles for this occupation are Helper, Laborer, and Skill Laborer.

Work Activities

With such a large workforce found in this industry, there are a multitude of different work activities requiring newbb电子 to safely perform the job at hand.  Here are some activities in each occupation that are performed regularly:

Safety

Body shop work involves sharp metal and engines that have exposed parts.  Both environments are hazardous to those working in an enclosed area like a garage or repair shop.  The story of Steve Godziszewski reinforces this point and reminds us why mechanics must always wear proper protection.  One day, a battery cable caught his fingernail and tore it off, eventually causing some of his finger to be removed.  Today, he wears gloves every time he works on a car.

Don’t let the low number of injuries per worker fool you.  Yes, there are only 2.6 injuries for every 100 employees.  However, there are 1,300,000 workers in this entire industry, which means there are close to 33,000 people injured each year in automotive repair and maintenance.

Working safely and wearing proper newbb电子 is critical to reducing the number of work-related injuries.  And, a nice pair of gloves keeps hands free from of all the dirt and grease encountered when repairing an engine or transmission.

At newbb电子平台 Safety, We Protect People!  That protection starts by first arming you with knowledge about the industry’s hazards and the newbb电子 that will keep you safe.  Hopefully, we’ve shed some light on this industry.

You take care of cars and the people driving them.  Now, let newbb电子平台 Safety take care of you and keep you safe at work!