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Automotive Technician & Mechanic Jobs

Automotive Technician & Mechanic Jobs

Find automotive technician and mechanic opportunities with dealerships, repair shops, and automotive employers across the country.

 

Whether you are an experienced master technician, dealership technician, diagnostic specialist, diesel technician, or mechanic looking for your next opportunity, CarGuys Inc. helps connect automotive professionals with employers actively seeking qualified talent.

 

Search current automotive technician jobs and find opportunities that match your skills, experience, and location.

Find Your Next Automotive Technician Job

Skilled automotive technicians are in demand at dealerships, independent repair facilities, service centers, collision shops, and other automotive businesses. CarGuys focuses exclusively on the automotive industry, helping technicians connect with employers looking for experienced professionals.

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Opportunities may include positions for:

  • Automotive technicians and auto mechanics

  • Dealership technicians

  • Master technicians

  • Diagnostic technicians

  • ASE-certified technicians

  • Manufacturer-certified technicians

  • Diesel technicians

  • Quick lube technicians

  • Used car technicians

  • EV and hybrid technicians

  • European and specialty vehicle technicians

Availability varies by market, experience level, certifications, and employer needs.

Automotive mechanic performing vehicle repairs in a service shop.

Automotive Technician Jobs at Dealerships and Repair Shops

Automotive technician positions can vary considerably from one employer to another. Some dealerships may be looking for experienced technicians with manufacturer certifications, while other repair facilities may need strong general technicians who can diagnose and repair a wide range of vehicles.

 

Depending on the position, responsibilities may include:

  • Diagnosing mechanical and electrical concerns

  • Performing maintenance and scheduled services

  • Completing engine, transmission, suspension, brake, and steering repairs

  • Using diagnostic scanners and manufacturer software

  • Performing warranty and recall repairs

  • Completing vehicle inspections and recommending repairs

  • Documenting repairs and technician notes

  • Working with service advisors and parts departments

  • Meeting productivity, efficiency, and quality standards

 

The right opportunity depends on your experience, certifications, preferred work environment, compensation goals, and long-term career plans.

What Automotive Employers Look For in Technicians

Every employer has different requirements, but many dealerships and repair shops look for technicians who combine technical ability with reliability and professionalism.

 

Common qualifications may include:

  • Previous automotive repair experience

  • ASE certifications

  • Manufacturer certifications or factory training

  • Diagnostic experience

  • Strong electrical troubleshooting skills

  • A valid driver’s license

  • Personal tools appropriate for the position

  • The ability to work efficiently in a flat-rate or productivity-based environment

  • Good communication and documentation habits

  • Consistent attendance and reliability

 

Not every position requires every qualification. Some employers are willing to train technicians who have a strong technical foundation, good work habits, and a desire to advance.

Automotive technician using diagnostic equipment on a modern vehicle.

Automotive Technician Certifications Can Open More Doors

Certifications can affect the types of technician jobs available to you. ASE certifications can demonstrate knowledge across specific repair areas. At the same time, manufacturer training can make you particularly valuable to franchised dealerships looking for technicians familiar with their vehicles, systems, and repair procedures.

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Depending on your career path, valuable credentials may include:

  • ASE certifications

  • ASE Master Automobile Technician certification

  • Manufacturer-specific certifications

  • Diesel certifications

  • EV and hybrid vehicle training

  • Advanced diagnostic training

  • State-required repair or inspection licenses

 

If electric and hybrid vehicles are an area you want to explore, read [how to get started in an EV technician career] for a closer look at the training and skills that can help you move into this growing specialty.

Master Technician and Lead Technician Jobs

Experienced master technicians are among the most sought-after professionals in the automotive industry. Dealerships and repair shops may look for master technicians who can handle complex diagnostics, mentor less experienced technicians, solve difficult repair problems, and work efficiently on advanced vehicle systems.

 

Master technician and lead technician opportunities may offer:

  • Higher earning potential

  • Increased flat-rate opportunities

  • Diagnostic specialization

  • Mentoring or team leadership responsibilities

  • Shop foreman opportunities

  • Manufacturer training

  • Career advancement into service management

 

If you are considering the next step beyond a senior technician role, review how to evaluate a shop foreman or lead technician job offer before making a move.

Automotive technicians working in a dealership service department.

Dealership Technician Jobs

Working at a franchised dealership can provide access to manufacturer-specific training, specialized equipment, warranty work, technical support, and structured advancement opportunities. Dealership technician positions may be a strong fit for technicians who want to specialize in a particular vehicle brand or continue building manufacturer certifications.

 

Employers may seek technicians with previous experience working with domestic, European, Asian, luxury, or specialty brands. Even if you do not currently have experience with a particular manufacturer, your overall technical background may still make you a strong candidate for certain opportunities.

 

If you are weighing two different work environments, compare working at an independent shop versus joining a dealership] before deciding which setting better fits your career goals.

Automotive Technician Pay and Compensation

Automotive technician compensation varies based on experience, certifications, location, employer, specialty, available work, and pay structure. Technicians may be compensated through flat rate, hourly pay, salary, guarantees, productivity bonuses, certification incentives, or a combination of these approaches.

 

When evaluating an opportunity, do not look only at the advertised hourly or flat-rate amount. Also consider:

  • Available work volume

  • Number of technicians in the shop

  • Technician turnover

  • Dispatch process

  • Warranty versus customer-pay workload

  • Parts availability

  • Equipment and diagnostic resources

  • Paid training

  • Tool allowances

  • Benefits and PTO

  • Schedule

  • Guarantee periods

  • Productivity and performance incentives

 

A slightly lower advertised rate at a busy, well-run shop can sometimes provide a better overall opportunity than a higher rate at a shop without enough work.​

Technician Pay Resources

Start with Flat Rate Pay Explained: What Every Technician Should Know if you want a clear overview of how flat-rate compensation works.

 

If you are comparing a specific offer, use how to evaluate an automotive technician flat-rate job offer or [how to evaluate an automotive technician hourly, guarantee, and bonus job offer] to look beyond the headline pay number.

Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Technician Job

The interview process is also your opportunity to evaluate the employer. Asking the right questions can help you determine whether the shop can provide the work volume, support, compensation, and career path you are looking for.

  • How much work does the average technician receive?

  • How is work dispatched?

  • Why is this position open?

  • What is the current technician turnover rate?

  • What percentage of the work is warranty versus customer-pay?

  • Are there productivity or performance bonuses?

  • Is there a guarantee during the transition period?

  • What training does the dealership or shop provide?

  • Are manufacturer certifications required?

  • How many technicians currently work in the shop?

  • What does career advancement look like?

 

Preparing for an upcoming interview? Review the most common technician interview questions and how to answer them before you meet with the employer.

Building a Long-Term Automotive Technician Career

A successful automotive career involves more than finding the next open position. Vehicle technology continues to change, and technicians who build diagnostic, electrical, EV, hybrid, ADAS, and manufacturer-specific skills can create new career options over time.

 

Possible career paths include:

  • Master technician

  • Diagnostic specialist

  • EV or hybrid technician

  • Shop foreman or team leader

  • Technical trainer

  • Service manager

  • Fixed operations leadership

 

For a broader look at where the trade is heading, see the future of automotive repair, including EVs, hybrids, and ADAS. You can also explore why now may be a good time to become an automotive technician] and the truth about automotive technician careers] for additional career perspective.

Is It Time to Find a New Shop?

Even good technicians can outgrow a shop. Lack of available hours, poor dispatching, limited training, weak management, outdated equipment, or little opportunity for advancement can all be reasons to consider another employer.

 

Changing shops does not necessarily mean changing careers. Sometimes the right dealership or repair facility can provide the workload, training, compensation structure, culture, or advancement opportunity that is missing from your current position.

 

If you are unsure whether it is time to make a change, review the signs it may be time to leave your current shop before deciding what to do next.

Experienced automotive technician pursuing a new career opportunity.

Why Automotive Technicians Use CarGuys

CarGuys Inc. focuses exclusively on automotive careers. We work with dealerships, repair shops, collision centers, and other automotive employers looking for experienced professionals.

 

Instead of searching through dozens of unrelated job boards, automotive professionals can use CarGuys to explore opportunities specifically within the automotive industry. Search current openings or create an account to receive job alerts when relevant opportunities become available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Technician Jobs

What is the difference between an automotive technician and an auto mechanic?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Some employers use “technician” for positions involving advanced diagnostics, electronics, and computerized vehicle systems, while “mechanic” remains a widely used term for automotive repair professionals.

 

Do I need ASE certifications to get an automotive technician job?

Not necessarily. Requirements vary by employer and position. ASE certifications can strengthen your qualifications and may help you qualify for more advanced opportunities, but many employers also consider experience, diagnostic ability, manufacturer training, and overall technical skills.

 

Can I get a dealership technician job without manufacturer certifications?

Yes. Some dealerships hire experienced technicians from independent shops or other vehicle brands and provide manufacturer-specific training after they are hired.

 

What should I include on an automotive technician resume?

Include your repair experience, ASE certifications, manufacturer training, diagnostic skills, technical specialties, vehicle brands you have worked on, and advanced training. Make it easy for an employer to understand exactly what you can diagnose and repair.

 

How does flat-rate pay work for automotive technicians?

Under a flat-rate system, technicians are generally compensated based on the labor time assigned to completed repairs rather than simply the number of hours spent at the shop. Earnings can depend heavily on available work, technician efficiency, dispatch practices, and the types of repairs being performed. For more detail, read Flat Rate Pay Explained: What Every Technician Should Know.

 

Are automotive technician jobs available nationwide?

CarGuys works with dealerships, repair shops, collision centers, and other automotive employers throughout the United States. Available opportunities vary by location and change as employers add new positions.

 

How can I find automotive technician jobs near me?

Search the current jobs available through CarGuys and filter opportunities based on your location and experience. Because new automotive positions are added regularly, you can also create an account to receive relevant job alerts.

 

How can I receive alerts about new automotive technician jobs?

Create a CarGuys candidate account and complete your profile. Job alerts can help you learn about relevant opportunities without having to search the job board every day.

Find Your Next Automotive Technician Opportunity

The right technician job is about more than finding an open bay. Work volume, compensation, management, training, equipment, schedule, and advancement opportunities can all affect whether a position is the right long-term fit.

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CarGuys helps automotive professionals explore opportunities with dealerships and repair shops looking for qualified technicians. Search current openings today, or create an account so you can hear about future opportunities that match your experience and location.

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