Should YOU Become An Auto Technician in 2022 (Brutal & Honest Truth) I Don’t Know How To Vlog 003
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- Опубліковано 6 тра 2022
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Simple answer is no. There’s a reason there’s a tech shortage and it’s because dealers and other employers don’t pay enough and don’t appreciate the stress and work we go through.
That's across the board my man. I cut trees out of power lines and we are underpaid with all the qualifications we have and what we have to do.
@@juniorlewalski4393 thanks for your work
@@CG-zj2zh you're welcome, I love it! We all have a part to play I just don't like how offset pay is. Greed is real with larger companies.
Mechanics have no influence in manufacturers injecting more & more planned obsolescence & cheaper materials in late model cars. For example, GM designed their water pumps & serpentine belts inside the engine. Literally, the Transverse, Acadia, Enclave & Outlook have water pump swap costing x 2.5 times more than the same repair in an average car.
The public is ignorant, they get angry with mechanic shops, and buy another car.
The sly manufacturers rejoice as their scheme works, again.
You absolutely right, when I went into the industry I really thought I could bust my ass & make good money but that wasn’t the case.
I've been doing this for 35 years. When I get this same question from young people I tell them absolutely run away. This industry eats it's young. My son went to HVAC school and in 5 years in the field is making damn close to what I make....and no flat rate. No brainer.
How much do you make
@@wild1246 $43 an hour
@@Dan-oo1tm where do u work
I’m doing automotive , only a few months in and work at a local non cooperate dealership . I’m I doing good ?
My buddy went to a community college and got a certificate in Dietary Management. Within 5 years of getting the certificate he was making $104k a year. He only has a high school diploma, no degree and only a certificate.
But it is a stressful job. He is always dealing with the health dept and state inspectors.
He had initially considered auto tech too
It’s not a job for older workers. It’s rare to see a tech older than maybe 50. It’s hard on the body and hard to keep up. There is also a HUGE investment in tools that never ends. A plumber or electrician buys tools once. An auto tech can have 100,000 invested in tools!
Great point
Almost no one should BE a tech at 50. They should be running the farm not pulling the plow.
Only going to get worse as EVs and hybrids continue to take on more of a techs role. More and more speciality tools will be required.
As a Ford technician for 32 years and fully certified I concur with your statement about being very efficient and extremely healthy for all of your life in order to make it as a auto tech.
Unfortunately I was about a 62% to 69% efficiency tech. I Was the go to guy for sync and electronic repairs And my speed never earned me more than about $37k a year until my health, of my body being broke down when they came to me and let me go at 52 years old. So unless you just really want to be a auto tech I say run away from it and do anything that you’ll be able to do when you get old and are not able to be efficient and super speed at all times.
The sad part is I may have the skill set but don’t want to touch anything mechanically related anymore.
Okay!!!So it's that tiresome!!😮
Anyways l appreciate for the response 🎉🎉🎉
Patience Uganda ❤❤❤
What if you want to open your own shop and have employees later in life after being a mechanic for a while ?
Write a reference Book
diesel truckn s best
Ford never pays crap, I made 80k bullcrapping at a smaller shop, usual job offers are 30-40 flag and I suck, you got jipped.
The short answer: no. The long answer: no
I have been a professional auto mechanic since 1997. The more complicated cars get the more I get paid. Lots of people think they can do this job. Very few can. You have no idea the hardships I went through to gain enough knowledge to make myself indispensable. The path is narrow and the road is long. The nuts and bolts part is easy. The knowing and showing part is priceless.
Great advice. I've been a diesel mechanic for 16 years now and coming out of an automotive school and getting a job with caterpillar it was amazing pay. I moved up to a foreman after 5 years and after 9 years I moved and got a job as a fleet mechanic for cemex. I learned how crazy the dealer life can be as a mechanic and realized how much it sucked lol. one thing I wish I would have known from the beginning was to not get in to a dealer and get a fleet position. I now own my own mobile mechanic buisiness because I got tired of the drama and getting paid a dime when my boss makes a dollar
What exactly is a mobile mechanic business?
This is the only reason I want to work at a dealership for a few years then move on to my own business. Do you think the battery movement will replace mechanics in 10-20 years
@@YakAttack64 they come to your house for car repairs, all within reason of course.
@@sanitary103 huh that’s pretty great. Never heard of it before. Thx
@@YakAttack64 i used it once. The dude forgot to retighten some nuts when changing a wheel bearing. Ass wipe could have killed me. Seems like a good business model if you find the right guy.
Just left working for a stealership such a breath of fresh air, crazy how a master tech makes less than a parts manager. 🤣
🇨🇦 I'm a collision technician and make a six figure income also got to work on the Ford gt program. The only way to survive in the trade is to have no emotions at work, don't bring your stress to work instead use work to relieve stress 🇨🇦
How long did it take you to be good or let’s say ; fairly decent in autobody industry?
@@AngelRodriguez-tt9vk It took me 10 years. But methods, materials and procedures kept evolving what I was told to do 25 years ago is alot different from today. The equipment tools and methods are very easy to learn now. Treat everyone's vehicle with respect and remember someone's family is going to be in that vehicle so never cut corners and you will succeed in the industry. 🇨🇦🍻
@@bimmerguy5785 hey bro
What is your hourly pay in Canada
And what is hourly pay for freshers
@@consolegamerz3856 Right now in Toronto Canada 28 bucks a hour flat rate.
@@bimmerguy5785 Thanks for your time brother
I left the field 14 years ago to work on airplanes, it worked out great for me. I worked at dealerships and independent shops with no benefits, warranty work sucked, long hours, and at dealership certain tech got fed the best jobs.
I’m thinking about that at the moment , but airplanes seems much harder but cool at the same time
Planes and helicopters are miles better. 👍
@tony_lopez7835 it's not that bad. There's great training and really good troubleshooting manuals. And top pay is around high 60 to 70 dollars per hour
@@LawrenceTimmehelicopters don't pay that good.
I was a jet Tech in the RAF, today I am a Police Mechanic, as it pays more than an Aviation Tech made when I swapped, I will retire as Police Mechanic, they do take care of you, I watched many of my Aviation mechanics lose jobs, bounce from one job to another, today, I would recommend being a plumber, carpenter, Electician, or HAVAC as top lines or work, and Automotive as last resort.
I know city workers who hang doors and unplug toilets, making $88K a year in California, before overtime, with Benefits, see my point.
I’ve been a master tech for 39 years,I got my education by working at dealerships (BMW,Chrysler, Toyota and Nissan) but after realizing that dealerships are very good at two things Ripping of the customers and Ripping off the employees, so when I was approached by a commercial bakery with 22 delivery vans I jumped at the chance and now after 7 years I can retire but this is a great job and the pay is great because shops here on the coast of California charge $185 per hour and the owner knows that so he pays me really well. Plus I get to take home baked goods. What you said about becoming a Technician is true, I don’t recommend this career I got lucky but my situation is very rare and for that I’m very thankful.
This experience is really similar to how I feel in my career as an IT Technician. Was always skilled at it, relatives bringing me their computers to fix since I was a kid. Didn't feel like I had a choice on what to do.
It's ruined my hobby. I started getting into car stuff because it's similar to fidgeting with computers to be similarly satisfying, but different enough from my actual car.
I'm currently looking into IT. I know some people making good money in cloud architect, CS, the million other specialities there are in computer science. Have just started studying to get my comptia certs
Honestly everything depends on where you work at. If you find a good dealer who will do whatever it takes to train you and pay you until you’re a senior master tech and keep you forever then it’s worth it. But if you go to a place that doesn’t give you raises or teach you and just shoves you in a corner says good luck till you go broke and quit then yea it’s not worth it.
I once worked at a dealership that tried to justify their low pay by saying they have tons of work which means tons of hours 😂😂😂
yeah the latter is the more likely scenario nowadays....
That's every dealer ,your a young person....wait till you no longer can keep up . 30years later..your not the shinning knife in the tool box..now 30 yrs later they say you're skills no longer fit into our plan going forward. I've experienced this from 1974 to 2001 .the only common denominator is I demand a raise health care...I got nothing. I got multiple employee of the month awards ....then management turned down access to repair hours then...it got worse...flat rate hours were cut..well if you're on flat rate..you know it's a popularity contest not how good you are
Probably the most straight forward, short, and honest video for future Techs. This was very helpful thanks man.
I enjoy working on my own stuff and do my best to keep up on things. I don't like working on peoples "crap". Love the channel
Great video, Mayson. I appreciate your honesty and candor. I have a nephew that is graduating high school in 5 months and is considering becoming a technician/mechanic and I just sent him your video. You have a great head on your shoulders and a great personality as well, which is becoming more and more rare these days. I hope your current employer realizes how fortunate they are to have you. Thank you, and God Bless!
If he hasn't been doing it already out of passion and gaining experience for years already...probably ain't gonna work out. Its not best as a "new found fascination". The "good" techs were "wrench kids".
The good and smart technicians get penalized during diagnosis or if you beat the flat rate hours by an excessive amount. God forbid you figure out and fix a problem in 15 min and charge an hour. The service writer will ask how you justify that and how you as the tech are ripping off the customer, also your time will be either taken away or reduced to 0.5 hrs . Don't forget that hour you charge out, you only get $20 while the customer pays over 150+ so who's ripping who off?
I’d say it’s time to pack my tools don’t fuck with me I drive my truck to work for a reason son! Also if they’re not willing to pay me for the time it took me to gain the knowledge to fix a 1.5 hour problem in 15min I’m at the wrong place they should be praising you for being able to crank out hours like that especially when you’re doing it right.
I do a bit of casual work as a bike mechanic when my other lines of income don’t pay well.
The truth is this; most of what is being created nowadays. I.e. new bikes are designed to be difficult to service; so as a dealer and mechanic, you will be more inclined to tell the customer to buy a new bike when things do go wrong, because in order for you to fix the issue, it will have a serious knock on effect on other jobs for lack of time. I believe we are fighting planned obsolescence at its peak; the manufacturers intentionally do this to improve their balance sheets, but this makes everyone else’s lives difficult on the same token. Oh, and pay as well at times……
Being almost 3 years into this since I started tech school, I find myself at a crossroads in regards if I should continue. I do happen to take my time and make sure things get done right and properly which is good on my conscience but hurts me time wise. I don't know whether its part of me gaining experience or that I'm genuinely slow with things. I am fairly competent with mechanical things and enthusiastic about electronic systems and tech in general if you give enough time to interact and understand the system I will eventually get it. Fortunately for me I find my self at a small hourly shop with an owner who is patient with me and let's me try my hand out with different repairs but I know I would suffer on flat rate being where am at in this career. I guess my saving grace is that I show up on time, willing to learn, and has no problem making the investment in buying my own tools. With that being said pay for said tools and student loans are like extra taxes out of my entry-level pay. And the work itself is quite stressful especially when you hit a brick wall with difficult repairs or a bolt snaps on you. I don't regret getting into this industry since this was one of the few things
I could make a case for after dropping out of college but I am evaluating my options.
If you any better career options try those first before looking into this.
I’m in my late fifty’s and the few conclusions I have is wanting to be my own boss or having people I work for that treat me well and respectfully. That is a hard thing to find I’m sure these days; with that said we have to work to eat and where’s your passion or where are you happiest? Network for shops or owners that treat you the best gain more experience and slowly build your name maybe work for yourself. We all have to work at it
Stay positive and God will guide you.
@@patrogers8912 Thank you.
@@patrogers8912 🤝
@Amature Technician Hi after 9 months of your comment I wanted to ask you if things are good, and would you recommend going for an automotive technician carrier as I'm currently thinking of dropping out of college, I study literature and English which I know it's useless and won't get me any coins in my pocket specially where I live ( it's a third world country)
@@daffyd69 always take your time and do important jobs right, however when you are on a time crunch there are certain methods known as the flat rate way, you gotta cut corners in certain places which is why dealers have such bad reps, dont treat the techs good, dont get good results
real talk right here. glad i had chance to escape the industry after 5 years. its hard to get out once your in.
i remember busting 100 hours every 2 weeks. but man it was stressful
So many things impacting the profession and it's unfortunate the dealers don't pass on more to the technicians. I use to be very happy paying $75/hr for labor at my local dealership. Once that rate hit $100/hr I decided to start doing my own work. Have since completed suspension, clutch, and rear main seal repairs. Haven't taken my car in to a mechanic in 10 years. Current rate is $175/hr. Best money move I ever made!
Very well put, I preach the same points to those who ask me this question. Personally, never cared for flat rate, though I know my capabilities. This along with auto side paying too little when I started out led me to heavy duty diesel. Very physically taxing.. but I cannot stress the fact that all passion for turning a wrench was stripped a few yrs in at the end of the day..
All that in mind, I’ve adopted a different answer, these points still within consideration.. for car enthusiasts looking to make a go at it, learn all you can to get into a specialty shop doing tunes and performance. From what I’ve seen, most of those guys still have a burning passion years later.. but then again, something about working on things you love vs anything coming in through the revolving door.
I enjoyed your honesty and sincere perspective on this topic. You made me realize you not only have to enjoy but be good at to be successful.
It's a good stepping stone to some of the skilled trades. We hired quite a few auto techs in the Gas & Oil industry. I always preferred good work to fast work (to a point).
An honest; straight from the heart assessment of the vehicle trade. Well done; I believe that this video should be shown at high schools to allow students to decide on a clear career path. Keep going forward.
@Jerry Boden key word is dealerships. I work for a family owned company. I can’t see anybody making more than 100k+/year at a restaurant without being the manager. With the shortage of techs I can go to quite a few local shops with my experience and make 100k+/year easily at 24 years old. Actually getting sent to training out of state for a new certification in a few months. Anybody can flip a burger. I take pride in my work and what I do. So no not dead end at all.
@Jerry Boden More worried about what woman will think.. it’s quite a feeling when you put in work and it pays off. Honestly a feeling that a woman couldn’t even give you. You have to get it yourself. Like the world has been lifted off your shoulders. It’s only dead end if you give up don’t forget that and keep plugging away at whatever you do👍🏻
@Jerry Boden you’re not wrong but also not everyone has the same experiences you had. You’re looking at it from only your view. For someone whose dream is to work on cars it doesn’t get much better than this..
This totally make sense. I'm a truck driver but I always been into cars my whole life and grew up in a shop. So this video really help thanks brother 🙏
You being yourself shows and comes through on this end bud. Keep doing that and youll have no problem uploading videos.
I work at a ford dealer in tuscaloosa. Flat rate is for the birds. All the new stuff and new parts are junk and can't even get new parts. Everything is on backorder. I'm sure yall are feeling it as well. Good video man I feel the same about the industry
Thanks!
You forgot to mention the dirt pay on warranty work , the best way to make a living as an auto technician I recommend working as a fleet technician, I worked for dealerships all through my twenties and started working at a maintenance fleet job I like it a lot more than dealerships
Great video. You appear very wise at a young age. Save as much as you can for retirement, it comes sooner than you think.
I have been a medium/heavy truck mechanic for the better part of my 45 years in the trade. I still love what I do except for the severe toll on my body. Still in decent health due to realizing the need for healthy eating and exercise.
I left the dealership flat rate system over 37 years ago.
I would NEVER go back to flat rate especially at an older age. How many old guys do you see working flat rate?
I mostly work on highly specialized
up-fitted truck chassis and equipment as well as the truck itself. So I do get those “nasty” diagnosis jobs etc.
SCR DEF DPF etc. And Up-Fitted systems that are all J1939 CAN buss communication.
So you are correct. Any new tech needs to have an aptitude for electronics diagnostics. Need to have good diagnostic skills. The R&R is usually the easiest part of most repairs.
I am not bashing flat rate. It is just not for everyone.
A good trade for the right individual.
Hopefully the public and business owners will realize the skills and value of today’s mechanic/technicians.
Agree completely!
So I get you're saying avoid flat rate dealership jobs, but do you still recommend being a diesel/truck mechanic?
@@paulkelsey2458 I have been a truck/truck equipment mechanic most my life. I love what I do. It has taken a toll on my body though. Hand,shoulder,knee problems,etc
Since I am in my 60’s and will be retiring soon, I may start teaching. Not sure yet. As far as “flat rate” it just wasn’t a good fit for me.
Hopefully auto/truck mechanics will get better pay with these newer EV’s and such. Time will tell.
I was a tech for an independent shop for 4 years, one thing you forgot to mention is buying your own tools. Also how it effects your body breathing in all those chemicals every day such as the asbestos from brakes especially drum brakes, transmission fluid, brake fluid, ext... I got out due to burnout and a bad back and knees.
Also DEF fluid, welding smoke, gasoline vapours, and exhaust are other things you’ll breath regularly
Own tools.. thats a given. wut?
Brakes don't use asbestos anymore but the chemicals aren't good for you lol
@@KM-bc3lm you’d be surprised new techs come into shop like woah, i gotta rack up a truck bill?
@@zoticus1 clutch plates still use asbestos
When i first started i honestly didnt think i had what it takes. The thing you point out about doing quickly but right at first i would forget things. I wasnt used to having to pay attention to so much detail. But over time you do get better at it. And now that I'm 15 years in I am Master Certified. L1 Certified. And average 60 hours a week. And bring home over 6 figures. But it has taken a lot of hard work to get there. And a lot of shops. My advice is to make yourself as good as a technician you can be. Because the only way you can leverage your pay and how you get treated is to be undeniably good at what you do. And so shops will either have to pony up or let you go to someone who will. All that does not take from another factor. And this is yhat you do need to be good at working with others. You can't be super amazing at working on cars. But be atotal asshole to work with. That will land you in some bad places. It really is combination of things. But first and foremost you gotta increase your skillset as high as possible.
I work in the Information Technology field on an hourly rate. i 100% agree with your blue collar statement. its crazy how a lot of people out there are getting their "literal arts" degrees for something that's absolutely useless and makes it harder for them to find jobs since they are usually fresh out of college with more than 100k in debt. i never went to college and i never saw a reason to.
I have a lot of friends in the automotive industry and they are absolutely living comfortable and will agree with what you say but they haven't lost the enthusiasm and enjoyment. they actually have turbo LS swapped cars that they race on the drag strips. I myself is a bit of a car nut myself. I have seen people lose the enthusiasm in working on cars though.
@@geargrinder4784 doing what 😂 can’t be more than some filler job
I'm going to uti soon for diesel mechanic lmao imma get the associates. Is it a waste of time ?
@@christopherjacquez8605I’m not in the auto industry, but I’m a maintenance tech with an associates in mechatronics. It’s worth it if you’re willing to put in the effort to MAKE that degree worth it. Experience and taking initiative is everything. If you’ve had prior experience working on vehicles (even just backyard work) or are mechanically inclined, then it’ll be a breeze for you. Just show you’re willing to put in the work. Good luck out there!
@@christopherjacquez8605my friend graduated from uti with 40k debt . Works at Honda making 20 an hour
after 11 years of golden middle class life in IT, got laid off and can't get a job now because of being degree-less lol. Everyone has a degree now
About 2yrs ago go out of wrenching went into fleet management. Loved the nearly 20 years I had wrenching but love the new career. Got tired of the inconsistency of work, being unappreciated, rude customers etc. in fleets it’s a set schedule, money is great, clients don’t want their drivers being rude because we manage their vehicles.
Thank you for your honesty. I ruined my hobby at a young age and became burned out "car audio". I grew up in a machine shop building high performance engines "pulling tractors" I still love working on cars and definitely don't want to ruin that for myself too....
Depends on the person. I was at 3 different dealerships, left each one for higher pay at another. At the end of the day though none of them supply your tools. They all paid flat rate, so for a slower more meticulous guy like myself I seldom met the time allotment. So I had to get out and move to another field of employment. In other words for me personally it cost me more money to purchase the necessary tooling (that is forever changing) than I took home.
I left auto repair for good after trying it out at 2 different indie shops. I was entry level, still learning but holy shit, was I slow. The only thing that saved me was the fact that I showed up to work on time. If I was asked to speed it up, I'd start making mistakes. After a while, I realized that this field just wasn't for me. I wouldn't hire myself as an entry level tech, anywhere.
I’ve been a technician almost 35 years, work from the beginning till now in the dealership. I love working on cars and love my coworkers but do something else just not an auto technician. Why? Techs are under payed, under appreciated. Management will want more money even though techs don’t get a portion of ANY parts plus only a fraction of how much customers pay. Service writers will over promise customers (time) and blame techs when work gets behind schedule. Customers don’t respect you, I mean, think of it this way, would you go to your doctor without wiping your ass? Would you go to the dentist without brushing your teeth? Yet people bring their dirty ass cars and when you move the junk inside the vehicle, they accused you of stealing. People will complain that they have to wait for a long time to get their car fix yet they wont complain about having to wait for their food due to staff shortage. I should have followed my friends and became a mailman ugh. No I’m not a grease monkey 😂 I’ve been a master technician as long as I’ve been a dealer technician yet it’s not rewarding because since I’m “qualified” to do warranty / recall work, most of my pay comes from those yet the younger techs that have no certification gets the easy work and they don’t want to get certified (I don’t blame them). Go to any shop and you’ll notice that most of the work horse are the older techs yet management don’t want to pay these techs because “they are too heavy” in pays scale yet only a fraction of the drive right goes to the techs and shop gets to keep all the parts profit. This industry had been in trouble and will continue to sink because the younger most younger techs are different (too long to explain what I mean). I was in a major accident and was in the hospital for a week, called my boss to let them know that I won’t be able to work for at least a month while I recover…instead of making sure I’m ok, they asked for a DRs note! I mean, I’m the shop foreman for God sake and I’m at work 10-12 hours a day, 5-6 days a week and this is how technicians are treated. I know so many Master Techs that have left because of all the politics and pay has not kept up with cost of living. I’m almost at the end of my career and there’s no way I could retire if my wife didn’t have a great career that helped us found our 4021 and Roth IRA (yeah, I’m not a dumb ass; like many technicians, most are highly educated and have great critical thinking skills). My advice to ANYONE that wants to be a technician…get into a career that pays good and appreciate you and you can work on your own car as a hobby.
I'm pretty young myself I just turned 24 recently, got a auto tech degree over 4 years ago and been in the industry for the past 6 years. Its been a while since I left my Technician job at my old shop because like you said about the work, pay, and time is horrible. I may not be experienced like the older guys, but I can get my work done for what I'm capable of. So currently I changed careers but I still do my own work and other peoples that know of me on the side. It feels so much better not being 100% dedicated to a single place repair shop.
As a senior Master tech for Ford for 26 years . I have no dispute with anything you said .
I would NEVER recommend this career path . Although in some cases even like mine , you can make money but boy you have to work like a dog for it .
Vehicles have got too complicated for what it pays. Just like the TV and radio repair business. Vehicles are moving towards becoming disposable and the industry is reorganizing. Complex problems means a vehicle is junked. Low hanging work thats easy like oil changes, tires, brakes, exhaust is being specialized into robotic low paying work involving express lanes where the customer expects it done in 15-30 minutes. So, that work is no longer a apprenticeship career path. Its a becoming dead end job.
i’m only 16 but i wanted to be an auto motive tech but after what u said i feel like it ain’t beneficial so what other jobs are there to work on cars because i don’t know a lot cuz i’m young
@@kylezeoli8281 My 2 cents; find a decent job, learn auto tech, start buying tools, work on cars part time, at home or customers garage/home, small stuff to start with ( people are charged an arm and leg for small stuff too and you can make decent money part time and save them money as well, doing small repairs without having a shop) Then if you are liking working on cars still, look into opening your own small shop. Please take a business course on running your own shop, very important ! There are a few guys in my area with one man shops that do this and they seem happy and seem to be making a decent living. They are saving people money bc the management isn't keeping part of the repair bill for doing nothing. These guys are swamped,...."it'll be probably 3 weeks before I can fit you in" I wish I would've done this and still might at 65 yrs old.
I tore ligaments in both of my wrists after 23 years as an automotive tech. I made great money but,I injured out. You’re right about being efficient,I always made sure that my tools were always organized!
as a 22 year old whos been wrenching since 14 and started at a shop at 20 and have left by 22. wish i would have seen this sooner as i probrably never would have got into it. to much stress and money on tools for young guys anymore to even enjoy turning a wrench “imho”. Thanks for the honest advice to all the other fellow people looking in this industry.
This guy is a smart, articulate dude.
I've been a mechanic over 40yrs. I've seen it all. When you need to hire someone, it's hard to find anyone who is truly able to perform and know what they're doing. Certifications mean nothing to me.
My phone rings off the hook, and people wear me out. Pay isn't that great. A job that pays "x" amount all day, every day, whether you work hard or not, will pay you more in the long run.
I ask this. What mechanic do you know that lives in a nice house, has nice vehicles, and doesn't live payday to payday? When you're young, you work all the time, but you never get far ahead. I learned the hard way that being a mechanic wears your body out quicker than most jobs. When you hit 40, you feel like your 70 and just tired all the time. I use to love making 6 hrs pay in 4 hrs. I could do two 6 hr jobs a day working 7am-4pm.
Now that I have my own shop and work for myself, I've slowed way down. It's not worth trying to have a stroke, heart attack, etc, just to make someone else happy when you can't make yourself happy. Work, work, work, and never get ahead. It really sucks working in 20 degree or 110 degree temps. Heck, this week so far has been wind chill 6-8 degrees. At some point, you just have to stop and think about yourself(your health)and your family. Sit down and relax. Do 8 hrs of work and go home. Not 12hrs of work in 8hrs, but just 8hrs, and finish up tomorrow. Sometimes, when my phone rings, I just let it go to voice-mail. I just get tired of the bs and low pay. Especially when it's cold out, I'm just not interested anymore.
There may always be a demand for mechanics, but it turns out to be a hard life, and most won't realize it till it's too late. You'll look back one day and say a lot of people were right saying do something else. Just mechanic on the side, on your own terms. Grow a clientele like I have and just work on certain vehicles and deal with people that respect your knowledge and skill.
I worked at Midas about 25 years ago. I had just finished auto tech school, passed 2 ASE’s…. I looked around. My coworkers that were only 50 were already slowing down. The concrete is hard on joints and there are about 30 chemicals in cars, some kill you fast and others slowly. Then you need $30,000 worth of tools and constant training. My boss at the time encouraged me to keep going to school so I did and went into accounting. It hasn’t been all sunshine and roses but I’ve made a good living and I can still do it at 50. I was maybe a B grade tech anyway.
Man i love people like this. Takes one to know one. Its the passion the matters in this trade for sure. If theres no passion u wont last
That’s a fact I agree with 😊
I always tell people looking to get into the business one thing. If you are trying to scratch the hobby itch; this is not the job for you. You will absolutely HATE vehicles after you get 10 yrs into it, if not sooner. The times you enjoyed doing it on the weekends will turn to hatred towards having to do so. But, if you enjoy it a dealership is a great place to start. You can gain knowledge, on the job training, getting dealer certifications, and etc. Then later switching to an independent may be the next option to go to. Some independent shops are great, not so rush rush and so pushy to over sell to customers but to rather do more of a quality job so the customer has a better experience. That’s where you can get back to possibly enjoying the job a little more as you may have prior. But at the same time that is when you can spread your wings and work on all makes and models vs only one single manufacturer.
Thank you for successfully explaining the “ flat rate “ pay structure. Here in Australia we don’t have that, I was always confused as to what it meant. We are all hourly here , to my knowledge. I now also know what American mechanics mean by “ feast or famine “. Flat rate would be fine as long as there is plenty of jobs to do with adequate amounts of hours allotted.
This is a huge problem right now. In my field of auto body work on flat rate, the days of a tech making a 80 to 100 hour week in a 40 hour period is very hard to do consistently.
Great advice I hope a lot of people can see this video it has the most valuable advice and probably the most realistic point of view for informing people on what to consider before getting into this industry. Great job
Thank you for this, i just enrolled in auto tech classes and i cant wait to start my new career, im 28 and ready for a career
I tell young people all the time “screw college, learn a trade”. The price for a good qualified tradesman will only go up. As long as people are driving cars they will need fixed. Good job security.
I'm a plumber I tell kids to go to school and do something else. At least the smart ones
@@deanmcloud3485 would you recommend being a plumber?
Well said.
@@CIVICX3 HVAC is a good career path, it’s a 2 yr course at most tech colleges
Not just any trade if they're smart. The closer ya get to contact with retail customers the worse it gets.
I've been doing this since 2008 professionally, L1 ASE Master specialist, work on all makes and models and more often than not I hate this industry. We aren't valued properly. Most of the people that I know that are techs are smarter than anyone I've ever met.
I got the same certs man and it is crazy how much we (have) to remember across so many makes and models, while doctors get to “practice “ on the same two makes and models that haven’t changed since forever. We possess several skills many lack interest in, but are still grossly underpaid. Don’t even mention the 80k-100k and up tool investment that is worth pennies on the dollar when we die. Who would want to beat their brain and knuckles up and smell funny at the end of the day in today’s employee pool?
@@caseycampagnari8854how much did you spend on tools? I am just finishing up auto mechanic school
I’m a 19 year old technician at a ford dealer in Utah, I understand a lot you where saying now you say that That’s great advise I just am getting up on my guarantee I’m moving to flat rate and I’m excited because I’ll get a raise and start making more money. Good points with the type of people for this industry well done
Hey did you went to a trade school or college to become a technician at the dealer?
@@DailyTvz no sir, just started in quick lane and worked my way up
@@bradyhuff9679 stay off that tool truck brother. Go to training classes every chance you get. On the company's dime. 17 yrs in the business and I make 6 figures. Be the go to guy for diagnosis and you can name your price.
Ive been in army aviation for the past 11 years and am trying to get into the Ford program as I get out. Ive watched a bunch of videos on how the job is gong to be and you by far have given the best explanation of it. Thank you very much
I was in the Army too dude. Use your GI bill to get a computer science degree or teach yourself how to code. Best field to get into by a mile. Not even close
@@djStens Unfortunately I didnt have enough time to do it. That was my first choice. The ford program fell through and I have 7 months left so I'm scrambling.
@@elibxborn I get out in June and trying to figure out something as well…
@@geargrinder4784 Yeah I got an offer at Tesla that pays way more I'm thinking of going that route
I've always loved taking things apart and putting them back together, that's why I went to school to be a tech. I finished 3 days ago and now I'm worried I'm going to hate what I've always loved. I really did it to gain some more knowledge and be able to fix my own cars and maybe flip some.
I became a at home Technician after working at a shop for 7 years and it’s been treating well. Made good money doing engine swaps and regular maintenance jobs. I highly recommend it. Work while you get the experience until you get comfortable working on all cars/trucks
Exactly what I was thinking 🤔
@@friendofvinniesame bro
Any advice for a young teen looking to get into the industry
@@flash7144 start at a tire shop I was a tire sorter as a teen then moved up as a quick lube technician then went to school (UTI Arizona)
@@flash7144 honestly man. I hate it, Im about to start trade school in the automotive industry and all I read online is negative about it. I don’t know what to do
All that matters to me is my passion. F the pay. Its not gonna make you rich… but. What it can do is get you some capital built up so you can invest that into something that can and will make you rich. I am a full time diesel and auto tech and i love it i am happy and content but i started flipping houses 3 years ago and i could literally quit my job and just do that since i have profited over in the high 6 digits.
You sir,are doing a great job! Keep your head down and your ass up and tun those wrenches!!! My dad always said “ learn to do something with your hands and you’ll always make a living”( myself 40+ years a machinist, it has served me well)👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Great points, both positive and negative. I worked several years as a VW master tech and made good money. However, the challenges came from having to perform warranty work which reduced this income.
I decided to venture into other industries within this profession/trade. Worked many years in the school bus industry which has not flat rate focused, but pay began to grow as reduction in the time it took to diagnose and repairs buses.
Today I pretty much pick the salary or hourly rate I want at any given company and as you state, they are willing to pay as long as you can back up your skills.
FLAT RATE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. I hope you are right that pay is going up. I would never work flat rate. Mainly the rust in my area. Currently with shipping difficulty. You could be waiting for parts. Warranty work pays garbage.
Refrigeration industry with its electronics, and patient mind set would love a person with your skill set.
I work on my own but other than that just have never been very interested in it.
Aye man just letting you know at my shop we all watch you amd we all like ur content. Funny and accurate. Keep it up. Thanks
Dang so true. I wanted to become a car tech but took hard turn into the industrial field. Now I’m an electrical/mechanical tech working 7 days a week. Money is great 👍🏻. But, not enough people also coming into this field and that keeps me in high demand anywhere i go. So cheers everyone!
Great video man! When I was in high school and going through and internship at a chevy dealer the tech that was showing me the ropes told me to run like hell. I did not listen right away and wasted a year in an auto tech program before i realized it was not for me and went over to IT. Looking back im soo glad i made the change and didn’t get sucked into tool debt.
How did you get into IT?
I’m currently doing the google it program. Idk what to do… keep going or try out auto body. Can you let me know how it’s going.
Thank you so much man. I appreciate your advice, you really opened my eyes. I literally don’t know if I want to join anymore. I mean, I’m a very patient person, and I do learn fast, but I’m a little nervous now because I know I will probably make some mistakes here and there. I’ll reconsider.
mistakes with the shop I just left will come out of your own pockets when your already paid like shit, they still will take money out of pocket for lets say your doing an oil change and strip the drain plug your gonna owe a new oil pan, your putting tires back on and lets say you cross thread a lug you will then have to buy the customer a new hub! this is ridiculus and I think I am gonna keep my automotive as a hobby.
damn i was thinking about switching from union pipe fitting to being a ford tech bc i'm a huge car/ford guy but after watching this you've definitely detoured me. appreciate you making the video and i appreciate your work bro
what state and how much do you make doing that? im thinking about either auto tech or hvac in texas
Don't have any experience working with fixing cars but I get excited when think about it 😁 💪
28 years as a mercedes tech. 14 years as my own boss. if you are not able to work for yourself then do not get into the business. poor pay. hard work. your body gives out around 50 years of age.
Your smart beyond your years. Great video.
Thank you!
What a well put together and informative vid! Exactly what I was looking for
I do not use a diagnosis machine but my experience helps me diagnose a faulty starter, alternator, fan, fuel pump, head and tail lights. on top off these, there's a 3yrs of experience diploma.
Quick answer is no. All the other trades pay more.
Tree work definitely doesn't. The arborist industry is shit too.
Great info. Would like to add that it takes years to make the money needed to independently support your self, much longer to support a family in this field. Contrary to popular belief we don’t get paid the rate that is advertised. We have to work long hours to Turn the time,and it Never ends.. Also the more you know the harder you have to work. If you work at a dealership you know what I mean. With that said. It can be enjoyable and rewarding. I have never had a problem getting a job. And even though cars are way more complicated than when I started,training is easier than ever with the internet and people like Mason available at the touch of a button. I have helped train close to twenty (two currently) apprentices over the years including two young women. In my humble opinion women is what this dying trade needs. Keep up the great work and thank you, Mr. Mason
That's what I'm going through trying to pay off debt from tech school
Thank you! Cant agree more! The only way to make money in this industry is to be exceptionally good!
@@FlyingWrenches13Ford tech from 2014 to 2019 , the pay is too low, switch to computer programming now making 80k year with 4 days on and 3 days off
I did 1 year in auto technology an auto collision repair the collage payed for it all till this day I'll never forget how blessed I am I only did it tho because it's been my dream to become an auto mechanic 🙏🏻🧑🏻🔧
@@PositiveVibeskingdom Are you still working as an auto tech right now and in your experience with you encourage someone to go that route
I've found that taking your vehicle to the dealership on the simplest issue can easily lead to not getting fixed, which left me dealing with it myself. I bought a brand new 2023 grand cherokee, noticed the auxiliary battery cover under front passenger seat was lifted up. Tab broken, metal retainer clip jammed. With it brand new, i brought it in, showed them in the drive in area what the issue was, wait a couple hours for the tech to look at it, they tell me the part is on order. I go back after part comes in, wait a couple hours for tech to replace the cover, they buzz my phone im good to go and i go home. I get home, check the work, still broken cover! Then on the invoice, i look up the part number of what they installed. They supposedly replaced the fuse cover under the hood. And that was a very simple issue that they couldnt get right. I didn't want to deal with their broken communication system anymore, not to mention going back there for another 2 or so hour wait, then another 2 or so hour wait again when correct part comes in, and who knows if they get it right that time!
If your heart is in automotive technology, then you have to find a way to work for a dealership or major repair shop and then have your own small repair shop where you do side work on your after-hours. Automotive repair is a great side-hustle and if you set up your own small shop (could be at your home garage or mobile repair) and find clients on your own then you will be set. The automotive careers with Union contracts, annual raises and full benefits is working for a large City or County in their motor pool or bus depot.
Aviation?! I did both. Went to an avn college and got my A&P, in late 80’s; no jobs so went to Cadillac dealership. Then after a year my Warrant Officer packet went through and I flew helos for Army then offshore oil wells. Then went to Lexus, then back to Army as a contractor and went to Army Reserves. Put in your Warrant Officer packet; they need aviators. Don’t listen to any recruiter that wants you to go crew chief or something else first. Find someone that knows how to recruit a 09W.
The whole thing with trades is that it's the most fundamental and essential work for society. People who can build or maintain buildings, transportation, utilities, appliances etc will always be needed. Doctors and lawyers and artists and retail all have their place in society, but they all need a building, utilities, and transportation.
Well the pay should probably incentivize it because the lack of people who want to do it, especially for the work required/pay ratio, is going to outright collapse a lot of industries
Yes but the trick is to find the right trade. Elevator technician, absolutely, you'll have home ownership and drive a fancy car. Auto mechanic you'll be renting a one room apartment in the ghetto and drive a junker, convincing yourself its "reliable" when you know the joke is on you that it's all you can afford.
Didn't know you were a ford tech in Alabama, been watching your videos for a while. I'm up here pulling cabs at an hourly shop in Birmingham!
You are right on point about the automotive repair industry.
Not all dealer service centers are great places. Dealers have a high overhead cost and so they are interested in making money. It also depends on the management of the dealer. Not all dealers may have qualified/certified technicians.
some places don't even have technicians (rhymes with iffy cube)
Personally I think the lack of techs (not parts cannons) is partially due to the fact that their brains are better used and payed in other fields. For example I’m a former trades person turned programmer and I think people that can fix and troubleshoot things in the real world make the best programmers and get paid handsomely. Food for thought for those considering these paths.
I am slowly fixing my civic ej2 and learning a lot on the way, soon enough I will try to flip cars so I hope you are right about all this!
I agree with you fully! Unless you are super quick OR can find an hourly mechanic position, it is not a good job to get into. I was a mechanic for 16 years and found myself at a Honda dealership near the end of my career. They wouldn’t promote me to anything other than oil changes, even after 13 years at that time as a mechanic. So apparently if you are a lube tech, you get to stay there until anyone above you quits or gets canned and you get to start from the very bottom and work your way all the way through the ladder again. Not how I want to be as a seniorita in the field.
I love what I do. I love the money I make. But I’m about to walk away from it all because of the stress of customers alone. For the small shop guys that might deal with customers more directly, it can be exhausting. Mentally I’m burned out of the trade from dealing with the customers..
I'm currently in Barbering after almost 15 years of being a musician for orchestras. I lost my career during covid as well as many friends of mine. There is a huge shortage in barbers, and I'm going to tell you the money is great in barbering and believe me when I say this barbering is such a hard trade. It looks easy to cut hair, but it's a lot harder than I expected. The shortage is everywhere, especially in the trades. My mom waited 6 hours for a brake change on her Ford, and when she got her car back her brakes were so touchy if you even barley touched the brakes your car would slam to a stop. They had to redo the whole thing. You can tell they were overwhelmed with stressed. The guy was in his 40s and I thought he was going to cry when he had to redo the brake. It's unacceptable that techs are so underpaid. Especially when you get your master tech status. I'm very heart broken for the future of techs.
Bro that’s what fresh brakes are supposed to do why would you have them re do it
Barbering is booming crazy here in Texas, I'm trying to decide what to do and I'm thinking barbering or HVAC
@jay art barbering is extremely difficult. I'm just aware of that. HVAC is too, but barbering is way harder than you think it is.
@@thomasmiguel5617exactly I don't see how someone could screw up a brake job either.
My wife is a barber. When she worked in Austin she was making like 80k but now that we moved out of town, all the hair salons want to pay her 15 dollars an hour...i recommend picking up the toolbag. I do supermarket refrigeration and Ive had nothing but blessings since I chose HVAC/R. I got my first house all on my own at 25 yo
The reason there is a mechanic shortage is because it's not a good job that pays what it should
So happy I found you dude. Thank you
I love the ford tech driving the single cab chevy. Great trucks
😂
I don’t wanna work on my own vehicle man. What can I say? Haha
@@FlyingWrenches13 I got a 1st gen avalanche with 275k on it. On 35s only repairs I've done. Temp sensor alternator pick up tube o ring. Close to 50 lbs of oil pressure at idle the pre afm trucks are the ones to have
99-06 GM were the best years ever built. I’ve owned a bunch of them. I probably will never drive anything else.
@@FlyingWrenches13that's weird to see being said..from an old timers point of view , the 73-86 square body models were the best they ever made.
Mechanics don't make nearly enough for the schooling tools and experience they have.. everyone in the shop such as service advisors , sale even the part guys make more than the actually mechanics in some shops its quite ridiculous.
So glad found I this video, great advice, this is exactly I m looking for. But sometimes people doesnt have much choise, they just suck it up. I hope I can continue my career one day, god bless me.
After watching a few of your videos I could tell that your mechanical ability is natural. You would be good at factory maintenance also.
Flat rate in my personal opinion is only good at dealerships over independent shops. Mainly due to the same type of vehicles come in rather than picking a random vehicle from a hat. Obviously experience comes with it. If I knew what this industry is turning out to be due to the political side of it and they’re going towards all EV (so they think it’s possible), I would’ve went into coding or something like that. My personal recommendation which I highly recommend is to work for yourself. If you’re able to do that, I would do it. Since I started doing that, my physical labor hours have dropped from 240 hours/mo to 80 hours/mo. My pay has gone up 4 times.
Do you think mechanics will be replaced by the battery movement in 10 to 20 years
@@StrongerThanBigfoot never gonna happen
Working for yourself is the best but the new challenge is customers and work environment
What do you mean work for yourself , like open and have your own garage to work on cars or ?
@@thedanieldrew6695 yes sir
Soooooo glad I walked before signing my life over too a tool truck
I appreciate this video man I’m young and I’ve always been good at auto repair and cars in general but the more I think about it the more I’m leaning towards auto body because I love fixing cars but I’ve realized that I don’t want to fix other peoples sh*t box’s so I’m probably going to try to get a job in a body shop and try my hand at it too see how I like it but I know I can always fall back to repair if I have too but honestly I’m pretty much happy to do any job pertaining to cars and I just realized all of that said sense in my head but not when I said it
If you haven't figured it out yet. People think mechanics are sub human. They don't deserve hourly pay because the would milk the clock but yet the rest of the world would never milk the clock. Ps, I was a mechanic for 10 years, it was the stupidest choice I have ever made.
My dream job was to be a mechanic but then i realized Everything is becoming electric so i decided i cannot do that, am now focusing on becoming a barber!!
You make total sense, man I agree with you. I’ve been bending wrenches my career too.
The one important thing he didn't mention when working for dealerships is warranty work. I worked for a Honda dealership up until 2004. Possibly things are different now but back then most of the work we would get would be warranty, and Honda would not pay anywhere close to what the labor rate manual said the time should be to do a job, more often than not they paid less than half on time. So even us good mechanics would have have to run our butts off and sometimes still not break even on the job. Self employed now but if I had it to do over I would have stayed away from the dealership and gone to work for an independent shop.
One thing that wasn’t mentioned, warranty work. Warranty kills my pay check. Unless I see the same problem over and over again where I can beat the warranty time, it’s very hard to do warranty jobs and make money when the problems are few and far in between.
I can do some installation of air horns, fog lights. also can really work on hard start... I repair engine fans, music system wiring, lightening system like the tail lights and front lights, replacement of fuel pumps.
Thank you for your honesty.
I spent 10-years at European Dealerships before leaving the industry. The only way being a Technician is worth it, is to work at places until you have enough experience and money to open your own shop, but then that opens a whole new set of problems because now you are a business owner who is no longer wrenching and now your managing and training Technicians. And then to constant investments in scan tools, online data, and other expenses. The "Golden Era" of mechanics ended when techs no longer made 50% of shop rate. I went back to college and got a Engineering and Management Degree and now work in Military Defense.
completely true mate . same here in Australia , I have to be lucky to find a manager workshop who take care of the mechanic , even double harder if you are foreign. been a mechanic is stressful and when someone start on the field, a stressed and unfriendly mechanic begins to shut up and saying sh.t to everyone and everywhere at the end you finish as same as them . few companies pay enough and create a respectful environment where team work is important . after couple of years working in an automotive industry all my class mate from school are doing different things . now as well I am considering leave the field . not good payment , cold and unfriendly environment, long hours of work . when you finish work you don't have energy for a couple of chiquichiquies.