Career comparison
Auto Body Technician vs. Auto Glass Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Auto body technicians earn more at the median ($54,890 vs. $47,630), while auto glass technicians usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Auto body technicians repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint. Auto glass technicians replace and repair windshields and vehicle glass, including camera calibration.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Body Technician | Auto Glass Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $54,890 ($26.39/hr) | $47,630 ($22.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,910 – $87,940 | $35,390 – $70,650 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +5.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 12,600 | 1,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | I-CAR training and Platinum recognition | AGSC certification |
| Work setting | Technicians work in collision repair shops and dealerships with lifts, frame machines and paint booths. | Technicians work in shops and in mobile vans at customer locations.. |
What each job does
Auto Body Technician
- Inspect damage and review repair estimates
- Remove and replace damaged panels and parts
- Repair dents and reshape metal
- Measure and straighten frames and unibodies
- Weld and bond steel and aluminum components
Auto Glass Technician
- Repair windshield chips
- Remove damaged glass
- Install windshields and windows
- Apply adhesives
- Calibrate ADAS cameras
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose auto body technician if…
- I like fixing things and seeing the results
- I have a good eye for shape and detail
- I don’t mind dust and noise
Choose auto glass technician if…
- I like hands-on work
- I’m careful and precise
- I like working on my own
Still torn? Take the Auto Body Technician fit quiz and the Auto Glass Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto body technician or auto glass technician?
Auto Body Technicians earn more at the median: $54,890 versus $47,630 for auto glass technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Auto Glass Technicians typically train faster (A few months on the job) than auto body technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects auto glass technicians to grow +5.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.7% for auto body technicians.