Automotive Body and Related Repairers
SOC code 49-3021 · O*NET-SOC 49-3021.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Automotive Body and Related Repairers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$54,890
a year
Hourly
$26.39
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$59,690
$28.70 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,750 – $69,200
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,910 – $87,940
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
149,310
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,910
- $17.74/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,750
- $21.99/hr
- Median percentile
- $54,890
- $26.39/hr
- 75th percentile
- $69,200
- $33.27/hr
- 90th percentile
- $87,940
- $42.28/hr
What do automotive body and related repairers do?
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
- Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
- Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 42% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)42%
- Post-Secondary Certificate35%
- Less than a High School Diploma23%
Common questions
How much does an automotive body and related repairers earn?
The national median is $54,890 a year. The full range runs from $36,910 at the 10th percentile to $87,940 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an automotive body and related repairers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Transportation3.0/5
- Engineering and Technology2.8/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management.