Auto Body Career? (degree, jobs, company, wage)

[maddox202020]

I am doing a career change and thinking about doing something with short term training so I can learn a trade. I am interested in auto body work one reason I think i may be good at it is because I am an artist and I like working with my hands and just keeping busy.


My old career is totally different in social services and i could not stand sitting at a desk writing notes.



I am in my thirties and feel this is a last chance at a life long career is Auto body tech a job that will be around for a long time? Starting to do some research. Is there a better choice for a trade school? I am not going back to college already used GI Bill for a degree in psychology which turned out to be a waste of time for me unfortunately.

[Hemlock140]

There are many local trade schools offering auto body classes, however some places may be more likely to result in a good job are those specializing in cars, such as Universal Technical Institute https://learn.org/browseby/company/U...Institute.html and WyoTech https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...N0ykuDKG7nMzw8


Be aware that in most cases in your first job would start out at just above minimum wage doing a lot of messy hand sanding until you get more in-house training and move up to the more fun metal work and painting.

[Berteau]

I wouldn't call that a career. Maybe a union construction trade would be.

[Okey Dokie]

As long as people wreck their cars, or until they build cars out of undentable rubber, there will be a need for auto body techs.

I would ask a few body shop managers “would attending XYZ body school be helpful in getting a job?” Or “where would you suggest a person could get the best training?”

[grouse789]

I would spend my money on a business degree, then open your own body shop. Thats where the money is kid.

[sandsthetime]

Originally Posted by Okey Dokie

As long as people wreck their cars, or until they build cars out of undentable rubber, there will be a need for auto body techs.

It's not bad when you're young, but do you really want to be doing that type of work everyday when you're in your 50s and 60s?

[bobsell]

There are no jobs that require no experience except sales and Mcjobs.

You won't get a job straight out of school unless you get an apprenticeship. And there is serious competition for those.