I am a 19/yr from West Tx in a small town of 100k-140k, I’m a freshman in auto school for associate degree & also plan to stay 1 extra semester for diesel degree as well. Currently 3rd week in working for small dealership for Mazda(only 3 service bay, maybe 4 in future) as Lube tech along with getting training to be basic certified before my 90 day probationary period?(There’s only 1 tech that does everything)

I’ve been surfing the web and a lot of people complain that auto tech paychecks blows booty along that it’s the reason that we have a tech shortage so I’ve been wondering is it possible to get paid & live very well off in this industry? (Maybe somewhere close to 6 figures or enough to have a stay at home spouse?)

I think my total college tuition would be around 15k

Do I keep pursuing and putting work on passion despite the word going around is paychecks are bad? Please hand me your opinions and the pros & cons Auto Vets

  • dudemanspecial@alien.topBEnglish
    0·
    10 months ago

    Some questions:

    1. What is an acceptable income level to you as a rookie? In 10-15 years?

    2. How important is income level when compared to job security, benefits , retirement plans etc.

    3. What other career avenues do you realistically see yourself choosing if you don’t stick with auto mechanics?

    4. How open are you to working as a mechanic in other areas such as construction equipment, heavy trucks, forklifts, mining equipment, and generators?

    • TestEcstatic@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      1.I asked my service manager how much senior certified(Tier 2 certified, Tier 3 is master & highest level) make and he said 70-90k. I would be satisfied if it’s enough to suppose a future spouse

      2.No clue yet

      3.Since I live in West Tx we have bunch of diesel, heavy equipment and oil field work, I’d most likely go to diesel.

      4.Continuation of prev question, very willing to work diesel if auto doesn’t go as planned, I will most likely be in a program where I do 1 extra semester for a diesel degree

  • vexedsinik@alien.topBEnglish
    0·
    10 months ago

    I worked 2 years at maintenance and fab shop for a contruction company. Went to school for two. Worked at Caddy for 2.

    So I can give you a beginners perspective.

    Tools: Dont buy everything off the truck. Do some research. You rack up a bill, you’ll be sorry. Especially if you leave the industry fast. I used a mix of snap on, proto and blackhawk, craftman and harbor frieght. Only buy what you know you need, aka you borrow something more than once in a month you probably need it.

    Toolbox: Get a regular box on sale. Later, if you want a better box and the quality is noticeable, I’m sure the debt dealer will give you a nice discount on the box. I paid 800 for a craftman box right before Sears closed. The Tool Lady gave my 2k for it. You dont need a large box. A good rolling cart will serve you better.

    Stay organized, a mess will be harder to sort through and slow you down. At the beginning of the day I would load my metric sockets, electric 1/4 impact, 1/2 air impact, some rachets and a impact sockets on my cart. At lunch if I wasnt in the middle of job I’d reorganize.

    And now my rant:

    Track your hours, diag, and book time. This is why I left the industry. The book times suck, I had to fight for pay. In my view it was a race to the bottom. Guys who chucked parts made more. Guys who reused torque yeilding bolts made more. Guys who bitched the loudest made more. Guys who didnt give two fucks made more. Its a fucking race thats rigged. If your good at the hard stuff that pays like shit, you will keep getting that work. Two years, no comebacks. Lots of electrical and an engine tear down, and everything I did was questioned. It drove me nuts. Everything was correct the first time and I was constantly second guessed. Do it by the book and get screwed on time. Dont do it by the book and get screwed on time.

    All that said, it’s 6 years later, and im considering going back in as im not the primary income anymore. I like fixing stuff and im glutten for punishment.

    -A Jaded Angry 36yr Old with lots of certs and a very varied job history (stay away from restaurants and nabisco…)

    • TestEcstatic@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      So far the management looks great & I’ll know who I will be working with if the service manager plans to retire anytime soon. Since there’s 3 service bays and only two tech(I’m 1 of them, but only do lube for now) I think I will be fine on flag rate hours, just depending on how busy the small dealership will get.

      I did 9 oil changes today due to the other tech being sick🫣