Will “Auto Body Technician” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

91% Chance of Automation

“Auto Body Technician” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #558 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 49-3021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 45,180.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 21.00
Currently, there are 143,940 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Automotive Body and Related Repairers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Auto Body Technician”

Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
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.
Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
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.
Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
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.
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.
Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.
Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.

Related Technology & Tools

Pneumatic grinders
Crown spoons
Pneumatic hammers
Hand shears
Pneumatic panel crimpers
Suction feed sandblasters
Scrapers
Paint sprayers
Pick hammers
Resistance spot welding equipment
Universal railroad dollies
Rivet busters
Hot air guns
Welding hoods
Respirators
Hydraulic automobile lifts
Telescoping gauges
Portable buffers
Single-cut mill saw files
Dent hammers
Fluorescent lights
Air hammers
Wedges
Surforms
Pressure washers
Pneumatic smoothing hammers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Spot weld breakers
S-hooks
Infrared IR paint curing units
Alignment machines
Heel dollies
Steam cleaning equipment
Socket wrench sets
Impact wrenches
Socket sets
Spray booths
Machine polishers
Pry bars
Power punches
Slide hammers
Welding helmets
Foot shears
Bondo spreaders
Blow torches
Cold chisels
Pull rods
Screwdrivers
Sanding blocks
Pressure gauges
Gas arc welding equipment
Alignment squares
Heavy duty inside spoons
Double-edged blades
Pick pull rods
Safety gloves
Frame alignment equipment
Soldering equipment
Power sanders
Panel cutters
Grinders
Pressure feed sandblasters
Oxyacetylene torches
Micrometers
Stainless steel brushes
Stud welder kits
Air chisels
Hydraulic cranes
Adjustable wrenches
Double-edged cutter tools
Digital cameras
Slapping spoons
Height gauges
Body saws
Buffing machines
Feeler gauges
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Air compressors
Toe dollies
Brazing equipment
Power drills
Ratchets
Anvils
Desktop computers
Drill presses
Vernier calipers
Depth gauges
Power shears
Welding electrodes
Personal computers
Pneumatic metal cutting guns
Suction cups
Safety glasses
Weld current controllers
Safety hoods
Jacks
Pop rivet guns
Windshield knives
Door skin dollies
Spoon dollies
Metal inert gas MIG welders
General purpose spoons
Welding tips
Laser printers
Pitch gauges
Grease guns
Welding goggles
Punches
Dial indicators
Portable welding machines
High velocity low pressure HVLP spray equipment
Hoists
Media blasters
Paint stencils
Nut drivers
T pullers
Hand brakes
Calipers
Hydraulic jacks
Air pressure gauges

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Equipment management information software
Accounting software
Inventory management software
Collision damage measurement software
Appointment scheduling software
Materials management software
Paint mixing and matching software
Microsoft Windows
Accounts receivable software
Collision damage estimation software