If you're considering switching careers or leveling up your skills, maybe you've looked into becoming a collision repair technician. How much does a collision repair tech make? The average collision repair technician salary can range anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000+, but these numbers vary depending on where you live, how long you've been a collision repair technician, and other factors. Learn a little bit more about what you can expect as a collision repair tech with Eli's Collision Repair.What Does a Collision Repair Tech Do?
If you were in an accident on the roads of Santa Monica and your vehicle was severely damaged, you’d want to bring it to a collision repair center. Collision repair technicians specialize in repairing vehicles that have been in accidents. Collision repair technicians are a little bit different than automotive mechanics because they specialize in repairing severe external and mechanical damage to a vehicle. Auto body mechanics, on the other hand, specialize in repairs as well as all types of routine services, like oil changes, tire rotations, and wheel alignments.
What Affects the Average Collision Repair Tech Salary?
As we mentioned earlier, the average collision repair technician salary can vary depending on where you live, your experience, and other factors. So, someone who’s an experienced collision repair technician and lives in South Bay might have a different salary than someone just starting out and lives in the Midwest.
Here are some factors that determine how much a collision repair tech makes:
- Where you live
- The company/shop you work for
- Your experience
- Your training
How Do You Become a Collision Repair Tech?
To become a collision repair tech, you’ll usually have to do one of two things:
- Complete a certificate program at a vocational school
- Complete an associate’s degree in collision repair.
Doing one of these will help you get closer to getting hands-on experience in the field, which will help you land a role with the collision repair company.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Collision Repair Tech?
How long does it take to become a collision repair tech? It depends on the route you choose.
- If you decide to complete a certificate program at a vocational school, you can expect that to take around one year to finish.
- If you decide to complete an associate’s degree in collision repair, you can expect that to take around two years. The reason this takes longer is that you’ll need to complete other general coursework on top of your associate’s degree in collision repair.
Learn More About Becoming a Collision Repair Tech in Beverly Hills, CA
So, how much does a collision repair tech make? With the average collision repair technician salary being anywhere between $40,000 and over $70,000 annually, you can anticipate a great living preparing damaged vehicles. Contact Eli’s Collision Repair to learn more about becoming a collision repair tech, and let us answer any questions you have about the role!