Motor Vehicle Body Repairers
(NOC 7322)
in All Trades and TransportationMotor vehicle body repairers repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing, repaint body surfaces, and repair and/or replace automotive glass. They work for automobile dealerships, automobile body repair shops and automobile appraisal centres. This group also includes metal repairers who repair defective automobile body parts and damage to the bodies of newly assembled cars. They work for motor vehicle manufacturers.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: medium, with some regular job opportunities.
Demand: Approximately 20 opportunities are estimated for Halifax, and 25 outside Halifax. Employment decline will lead to a loss of some positions. High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to employment opportunities. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Work hours: full-time, usually. Both permanent and temporary positions are common.
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$20.50
Median$29.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,880
Minimum$40,385
Median$72,337
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$24.00
Median$37.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Motor vehicle body repairers repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing, repaint body surfaces, and repair and/or replace automotive glass. They work for automobile dealerships, automobile body repair shops and automobile appraisal centres. This group also includes metal repairers who repair defective automobile body parts and damage to the bodies of newly assembled cars. They work for motor vehicle manufacturers.
Job duties
Workers in this group:
- Review damage report and estimates of repair cost and plan work to be performed.
- Repair and replace front end components, body components, doors and frame and underbody components.
- Hammer out dents, buckles and other defects using blocks and hammers.
- Use soldering equipment or use plastic filler to fill holes, dents, and seams.
- Remove damaged fenders, panels and grills using wrenches and cutting torch and bolt or weld replacement parts into place.
- Straighten bent frames using frame and underbody pulling and anchoring equipment.
- File, grind, and sand repaired body surfaces using hand and power tools.
- Mask and tape auto body surfaces in preparation for painting.
- Mix paint, blend, and match colors.
- Apply primers and repaint surfaces using brush or spray guns.
- Repair and replace glass components like windshields, windows, and sunroofs.
- Repair or replace interior components like seat frame assembly, carpets, and floorboard insulation.
- Inspect repaired vehicles and test drive vehicles for proper handling.
Sample job titles
- auto body and collision technician
- autobody mechanic
- autobody technician
- automotive glass technician
- automotive painter
- automotive refinishing technician
- motor vehicle body repairer
Skills
- Strength and stamina to handle heavy tools and parts
- Manual dexterity
- Mechanical aptitude
- Creativity, patience, and an eye for detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Good colour vision
- Computer skills
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- A commitment to ongoing training
Job requirements
- Array
- Array
- Array
Other considerations
- Auto body and collision technicians repair, restore, and replace damaged body parts like glass, trim, steering, and suspension.
- Automotive glass technicians work in fabricating, removing, installing, repairing, and generally servicing the glass and associated equipment in motor vehicles.
- Automotive refinishing technicians prepare and paint motor vehicles.
- Work environments vary in this occupation. Typically, technicians work indoors in an environment that may be noisy and dusty. The work often requires considerable standing, kneeling, lifting, climbing, pulling, and reaching.
- Although most shops are well ventilated, the work involves exposure to dust ad fumes. There is always some risk of injury involved in working with sharp metals and power tools.
- Auto body personnel usually work a 40-hour week with occasional overtime required.
- Experienced auto body personnel may advance to supervisory positions, teaching/training in the field, start their own businesses, or become automobile damage appraisers for insurance companies.
- Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
- Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$43,929 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$42,202 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$33,682 median annual incomeSouthern
$34,362 median annual incomeCape Breton
$35,823 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other services (except public administration)
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Construction
Wholesale trade
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
Trade Certification
$42,312 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,158 median annual incomeHigh school
$40,307 median annual incomeLess than high school
$22,162 median annual incomeBachelor
N/ACompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Trade Certification
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. They include courses in structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.
Compulsory Certification (Mandatory): This is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Individuals must hold a Certification of Qualification, be a registered apprentice, or hold a temporary work permit to legally work in this trade.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.