Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.
Automotive body repairers typically do the following:
Automotive glass installers and repairers typically do the following:
Automotive body and glass repairers can repair most damage from vehicle collisions and make vehicles look and drive like new. Repairs may be minor, such as replacing a cracked windshield, or major, such as replacing an entire door panel. After a major collision, the underlying frame of a car can become weakened or compromised. Body repairers restore the structural integrity of car frames to manufacturer specifications.
Body repairers use pneumatic tools and plasma cutters to remove damaged parts, such as bumpers and door panels. They also often use heavy-duty hydraulic jacks and hammers for major structural repairs, such as aligning the body. For some work, they use common hand tools, such as metal files, pliers, wrenches, hammers, and screwdrivers.
In some cases, body repairers complete an entire job by themselves. In other cases, especially in large shops, they use an assembly line approach in which they work as a team with each individual performing a specialized task.
Although body repairers sometimes prime and paint repaired parts, painting and coating workers generally perform these tasks.
Glass installers and repairers often travel to the customer’s location and perform their work in the field. They commonly use specialized tools such as vacuum pumps to fill windshield cracks and chips with a stabilizing resin. When windshields are badly damaged, they use knives to remove the damaged windshield, and then they secure the new windshield using a special urethane adhesive.
Automotive body and related repairers held about 152,500 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of automotive body and related repairers were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 61% |
| Automobile dealers | 17 |
| Self-employed workers | 7 |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 6 |
Automotive glass installers and repairers held about 18,500 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of automotive glass installers and repairers were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 73% |
| Self-employed workers | 9 |
| Construction | 3 |
Body repairers typically work indoors in body shops, which are often noisy. Most shops are well ventilated, so that dust and paint fumes can be dispersed. Glass installers and repairers often travel to the customer’s location to repair damaged windshields and window glass.
Automotive body and glass repairers sometimes work in awkward and cramped positions, and their work can be physically demanding.
Most automotive body and glass repairers work full time. When shops have to complete a backlog of work, overtime is common. This often includes working evenings and weekends.
Most employers prefer to hire automotive body and glass repairers who have completed a training program in automotive body or glass repair. Still, many new body and glass repairers begin work without previous training. Industry certification is increasingly important.
High school, trade and technical school, and community college programs in collision repair combine hands-on practice and technical instruction. Topics usually include electronics, repair cost estimation, and welding, all of which provide a strong educational foundation for a career as a body repairer.
Trade and technical school programs typically award certificates after 6 months to 1 year of study. Some community colleges offer 2-year programs in collision repair. Many of these schools also offer certificates for individual courses, so students can take classes part time or as needed.
New workers typically begin their on-the-job training by helping an experienced body repairer with basic tasks, such as fixing minor dents. As they gain experience, they move on to more complex work, such as aligning car frames. Some body repairers may become trained in as little as 1 year, but they generally need 2 or 3 years of hands-on training to become fully independent body repairers.
Basic automotive glass installation and repair can be learned in as little as 6 months, but becoming fully independent can take up to a year of training.
Workers who complete programs in collision repair often require significantly less on-the-job training. They typically advance to independent work more quickly than those who do not have the same level of education.
Throughout their careers, body repairers need to continue their training to keep up with rapidly changing automotive technology and materials. Body repairers are expected to develop their skills by reading technical manuals and by attending classes and seminars. Many employers regularly send workers to advanced training programs, such as those offered by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
Although not required, certification is recommended because it shows competence and usually brings higher pay. In some instances it is required for advancement beyond entry-level work.
Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a standard credential for body repairers. In addition, many vehicle and paint manufacturers have product certification programs that are used to train body repairers in specific technologies and repair methods.
A few states require a license to perform automotive glass installation and repair. Check with your state for more information.
Automotive body and glass repairers earn more money as they gain experience, and some may advance into management positions within body shops, especially those workers with 2- or 4-year degrees.
Critical-thinking skills. Automotive body and glass repairers evaluate vehicle damage and determine necessary repair strategies. In some cases, they must decide if a vehicle is “totaled,” or too damaged to justify the cost of repair.
Customer-service skills. Automotive body and glass repairers discuss auto body and glass problems, along with options to fix them, with customers. Workers must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions.
Detail oriented. Automotive body and glass repairers must pay close attention to detail. Restoring a damaged auto body or windshield requires workers to have a keen eye for even the smallest imperfection.
Dexterity. Automotive body repairers’ tasks, such as removing door panels, hammering out dents, and using hand tools to install parts, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.
Mechanical skills. Automotive body repairers must know which diagnostic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other power equipment and tools are appropriate for certain procedures and repairs. They must know how to apply the correct techniques and methods necessary to repair automobiles.
Physical strength. Automotive body and glass repairers must sometimes lift heavy parts, such as door panels and windshields.
Time-management skills. Automotive body and glass repairers must be timely in their repairs. For many people, their automobile is their primary mode of transportation.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for automotive body and related repairers was $47,270 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,220.
The median annual wage for automotive glass installers and repairers was $37,920 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,680.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for automotive body and related repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | $47,450 |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 46,910 |
| Automobile dealers | 46,720 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for automotive glass installers and repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | $38,000 |
| Construction | 37,940 |
The majority of repair shops and auto dealers pay automotive body and glass repairers on an incentive basis. In addition to receiving a guaranteed base salary, employers pay workers a set amount for completing various tasks. Their earnings depend on both the amount of work assigned and how fast they complete it.
Most automotive body and glass repairers work full time. When shops have to complete a backlog of work, overtime is common. This often includes working evenings and weekends.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Overall employment of automotive body and glass repairers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 17,000 openings for automotive body and glass repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
New vehicles are getting safer, which will help reduce car accidents and, in turn, the need for repairs. Older vehicles, which may have fewer modern safety features, will continue to need repair and create demand for these workers.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Automotive body and glass repairers |
— | 171,000 | 176,100 | 3 | 5,000 | — | |
Automotive body and related repairers |
49-3021 | 152,500 | 156,800 | 3 | 4,200 | Get data | |
Automotive glass installers and repairers |
49-3022 | 18,500 | 19,300 | 4 | 800 | Get data | |
For more information about careers in automotive body and glass repair, visit
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Society of Collision Repair Specialists
For a career video on automotive glass installers and repairers, visit
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers