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Date: 10/25/2026

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

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    Work Activities

    Work Activities

    • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
    • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
    • Repair or rebuild transmissions.
    • Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
    • Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
    • Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
    • Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks.
    • Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
    • Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
    • Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
    • Align vehicles' front ends.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
    • Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
    • Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
    • Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
    • Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
    • Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, and friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
    • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
    • Maintain cleanliness of work area.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Repair or rebuild transmissions.
    • Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
    • Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
    • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
    • Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
    • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
    • Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
    • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.

    Skills

    • Troubleshooting

      Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.

    • Repairing

      Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.

    • Judgment and Decision Making

      Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

    • Systems Analysis

      Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

    • Service Orientation

      Looking for ways to help people.

    • Critical Thinking

      Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

    • Active Learning

      Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

    • Reading Comprehension

      Reading work-related information.

    • Management of Material Resources

      Managing equipment and materials.

    • Negotiation

      Bringing people together to solve differences.

    • Writing

      Writing things for co-workers or customers.

    • Operations Analysis

      Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.

    • Installation

      Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.

    • Programming

      Writing computer programs.

    • Technology Design

      Making equipment and technology useful for customers.

    • Time Management

      Managing your time and the time of other people.

    • Management of Personnel Resources

      Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

    • Equipment Selection

      Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.

    • Social Perceptiveness

      Understanding people's reactions.

    • Persuasion

      Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.

    • Science

      Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.

    • Learning Strategies

      Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.

    • Speaking

      Talking to others.

    • Mathematics

      Using math to solve problems.

    • Instructing

      Teaching people how to do something.

    • Active Listening

      Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

    • Operation and Control

      Using equipment or systems.

    • Equipment Maintenance

      Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.

    • Complex Problem Solving

      Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

    • Operations Monitoring

      Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

    • Coordination

      Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

    • Monitoring

      Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

    • Quality Control Analysis

      Testing how well a product or service works.

    • Systems Evaluation

      Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

    • Management of Financial Resources

      Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.

    WorkKeys®

    Applied Math
    3
    Workplace Documents
    4
    Graphic Literacy
    4

    Abilities

    • Mathematical Reasoning

      Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.

    • Speed of Closure

      Quickly knowing what you are looking at.

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

      Keeping your arm or hand steady.

    • Manual Dexterity

      Holding or moving items with your hands.

    • Information Ordering

      Ordering or arranging things.

    • Multilimb Coordination

      Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.

    • Explosive Strength

      Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.

    • Visual Color Discrimination

      Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.

    • Sound Localization

      Noticing the direction that a sound came from.

    • Wrist-Finger Speed

      Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.

    • Extent Flexibility

      Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.

    • Night Vision

      Seeing at night or under low light.

    • Response Orientation

      Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.

    • Dynamic Strength

      Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

    • Depth Perception

      Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.

    • Problem Sensitivity

      Noticing when problems happen.

    • Oral Comprehension

      Listening and understanding what people say.

    • Inductive Reasoning

      Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.

    • Spatial Orientation

      Knowing where things are around you.

    • Visualization

      Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

    • Selective Attention

      Paying attention to something without being distracted.

    • Time Sharing

      Doing two or more things at the same time.

    • Gross Body Equilibrium

      Keeping your balance or staying upright.

    • Reaction Time

      Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.

    • Stamina

      Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.

    • Auditory Attention

      Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.

    • Static Strength

      Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.

    • Oral Expression

      Communicating by speaking.

    • Written Expression

      Communicating by writing.

    • Number Facility

      Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

    • Peripheral Vision

      Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.

    • Speech Clarity

      Speaking clearly.

    • Deductive Reasoning

      Using rules to solve problems.

    • Memorization

      Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.

    • Flexibility of Closure

      Seeing hidden patterns.

    • Perceptual Speed

      Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

    • Finger Dexterity

      Putting together small parts with your fingers.

    • Gross Body Coordination

      Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.

    • Control Precision

      Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

    • Speed of Limb Movement

      Quickly moving your arms and legs.

    • Dynamic Flexibility

      Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

    • Speech Recognition

      Recognizing spoken words.

    • Fluency of Ideas

      Coming up with lots of ideas.

    • Originality

      Creating new and original ideas.

    • Written Comprehension

      Reading and understanding what is written.

    • Category Flexibility

      Grouping things in different ways.

    • Glare Sensitivity

      Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.

    • Near Vision

      Seeing details up close.

    • Hearing Sensitivity

      Telling the difference between sounds.

    • Rate Control

      Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

    • Trunk Strength

      Using your lower back and stomach.

    • Far Vision

      Seeing details that are far away.

    Knowledge

    • Personnel and Human Resources

      Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

    • Sociology and Anthropology

      Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

    • Engineering and Technology

      Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

    • Physics

      Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

    • Law and Government

      Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

    • Administration and Management

      Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

    • Sales and Marketing

      Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

    • Geography

      Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

    • Fine Arts

      Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

    • History and Archeology

      Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

    • Administrative

      Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

    • Economics and Accounting

      Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

    • Telecommunications

      Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

    • Food Production

      Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

    • Building and Construction

      Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

    • Therapy and Counseling

      Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

    • Education and Training

      Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

    • Philosophy and Theology

      Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

    • Public Safety and Security

      Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

    • Computers and Electronics

      Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

    • Mechanical

      Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

    • Design

      Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

    • Customer and Personal Service

      Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

    • Production and Processing

      Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

    • Chemistry

      Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

    • Transportation

      Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

    • Communications and Media

      Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

    • Biology

      Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

    • Psychology

      Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

    • Mathematics

      Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

    • Medicine and Dentistry

      Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

    • English Language

      Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

    • Foreign Language

      Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

    Career Video

    Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop

    Pay

    • Ohio Annual Salary 48710/yr
    • Typical Salary
    • Ohio Hourly Wage 23.42/hr
    • Typical Hourly Wage

    Ohio Employment Trends

    • Currently Employed 27,810
    • Yearly Projected Openings 2370

    Typical Education

    Personality

    Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Perseverance
    • Integrity
    • Cautiousness

    Tools

    • Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
    • Acoustic sensors
    • Adjustable widemouth pliers
    • Adjustable wrenches
    • Air compressors
    • Ammeters
    • Anvils
    • Automotive cleaners
    • Automotive exhaust emission analyzers
    • Automotive honing machine
    • Awls
    • Ball peen hammer
    • Bar code reader equipment
    • Battery acid hydrometers
    • Battery chargers
    • Battery testers
    • Bench vises
    • Blow torch
    • Bolt cutters
    • Borescope inspection equipment
    • Box end wrenches
    • Brake drum lathe
    • Brake repair kits
    • C clamps
    • Calipers
    • Capacitance meters
    • Catalytic combustion analyzers
    • Circuit tester
    • Claw hammer
    • Cleaning scrapers
    • Cold chisels
    • Combination pliers
    • Combination wrenches
    • Compressed air gun
    • Compression testers
    • Cutting die
    • Deburring tool
    • Desktop computer
    • Diagonal cut pliers
    • Dial indicator or dial gauge
    • Digital testers
    • Dollies
    • Drill bit set
    • Drill press or radial drill
    • Dynamometers
    • Engine ignition systems
    • Engine or vehicle stands
    • Feeler gauges
    • Flat hand file
    • Forklifts
    • Gas detectors
    • Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
    • Grease guns
    • Growler tester
    • Hacksaw
    • Hammers
    • Hand clamps
    • Hand reamer
    • Heat guns
    • Heat tracing equipment
    • Hex keys
    • Hoists
    • Hole gauge
    • Hose cutter
    • Hydraulic press brake
    • Hydraulic press frames
    • Impact wrenches
    • Inspection mirror
    • Integrated circuit testers
    • Jacks
    • Laser printers
    • Leak testing equipment
    • Levels
    • Linemans pliers
    • Liquid leak detectors
    • Locking pliers
    • Longnose pliers
    • Magnetic tools
    • Metal band sawing machine
    • Metal inert gas welding machine
    • Micrometers
    • Mill saw file
    • Motor starter controls
    • Multi gas monitors
    • Multimeters
    • Needlenose pliers
    • Nibblers
    • Nut drivers
    • Ohmmeters
    • Oil gun
    • Open end wrenches
    • Organic light emitting displays
    • Oscilloscopes
    • Oxygen sensors
    • Paint sprayers
    • Personal computer
    • Picks
    • Pipe bending tools
    • Pipe or tube cutter
    • Pipe wrenches
    • Plasma arc welding machine
    • Pneumatic drill
    • Pneumatic hammer
    • Pneumatic impact wrenches
    • Pneumatic sanding machines
    • Pneumatic vacuum equipment
    • Portable data input terminals
    • Power buffers
    • Power drills
    • Power flaring tool
    • Power grinders
    • Power riveter
    • Power sanders
    • Power saws
    • Pressure indicators
    • Pressure or steam cleaners
    • Protective gloves
    • Pry bars
    • Pullers
    • Punches or nail sets or drifts
    • Rasps
    • Ratchets
    • Razor knives
    • Refrigerant compressors
    • Remote reading thermometers
    • Retaining ring pliers
    • Rivet tools
    • Safety glasses
    • Safety shoes
    • Screw extractors
    • Screwdrivers
    • Scribers
    • Shears
    • Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine
    • Socket sets
    • Sockets
    • Soldering iron
    • Spark plug tester
    • Spark plug wrench
    • Specialty wrenches
    • Speed sensors
    • Steering wheel puller
    • Strap wrenches
    • Stripping tools
    • Tachometers
    • Tape measures
    • Taps
    • Tire changing machines
    • Tire pressure gauge
    • Tongue and groove pliers
    • Torque wrenches
    • Torx keys
    • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe
    • Trim or molding tools
    • Tube bending machine
    • Two way radios
    • Ultrasonic examination equipment
    • Utility knives
    • Vacuum gauges
    • Vacuum pumps
    • Valve seat cutter
    • Voltage or current meters
    • Welding masks
    • Welding or soldering kit
    • Wheel alignment equipment
    • Wheel balancing equipment
    • Wheel nut or lug wrench
    • Winches
    • Wire brushes
    • Wire cutters
    • Wire or cable cutter
    • Workshop cranes

    Technology

    • Analytical or scientific software
    • Billing and invoicing software
    • Calendar and scheduling software
    • Data base reporting software
    • Data base user interface and query software
    • Electronic mail software
    • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
    • Facilities management software
    • Information retrieval or search software
    • Internet browser software
    • Office suite software
    • Operating system software
    • Project management software
    • Spreadsheet software
    • Video creation and editing software
    • Word processing software

    Tags

    • InDemand occupations are considered a priority by the state of Ohio.
    • Apprenticeships are available for this occupation. These programs can help you get hands-on experience and build your skills.
    Need help on researching occupations and careers? Download the Guide to Researching Occupations (PDF).

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    Workforce Supply Tool

    The Workforce Supply Tool provides statistics for the occupations in highest demand throughout Ohio.

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