Motor Vehicle Body Repairers

(NOC 7322)

in All Trades and Transportation

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 Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 40 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

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

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,880

Minimum

$40,385

Median

$72,337

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About 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

800

employed in 2016

90.6%

employed full-time

16.9%

self employed

5.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
95%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
48.5

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

37.3%

Halifax

$43,929 median annual income
21.1%

North Shore

$42,202 median annual income
18.0%

Annapolis Valley

$33,682 median annual income
17.4%

Southern

$34,362 median annual income
6.2%

Cape Breton

$35,823 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

75.4%

Other services (except public administration)

11.6%

Retail trade

4.3%

Transportation and warehousing

2.2%

Construction

2.2%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

45-54

22.0%

55-64

16.0%

35-44

16.0%

25-34

9.0%

15-24

7.0%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

39.0%

Trade Certification

$42,312 median annual income
25.8%

College Diploma

$42,158 median annual income
17.0%

High school

$40,307 median annual income
15.7%

Less than high school

$22,162 median annual income
2.5%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Autobody/Collision and Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These 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

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults 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

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Automotive Glass Technician

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.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS
Automotive Refinishing Technician

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.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS
Auto Body and Collision Technician

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.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Automotive Human Resource Sector Council of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.