Career comparison
Auto Body Technician vs. Automotive Service 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. $50,620), while automotive service technicians usually get to work faster (6–24 months of training). Auto body technicians repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint. Automotive service technicians inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Body Technician | Automotive Service Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $54,890 ($26.39/hr) | $50,620 ($24.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,910 – $87,940 | $34,660 – $81,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 12,600 | 66,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | 6–24 months |
| Key credential | I-CAR training and Platinum recognition | ASE A1–A9 |
| Work setting | Technicians work in collision repair shops and dealerships with lifts, frame machines and paint booths. | Technicians work in dealerships, independent repair shops, chain stores, fleet garages and government agencies. |
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
Automotive Service Technician
- Perform inspections and preventive maintenance
- Diagnose problems with scan tools and test equipment
- Repair brakes, steering, suspension and drivetrain components
- Repair engines and electrical systems
- Service heating and air-conditioning systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and working independently. 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 automotive service technician if…
- I enjoy working on cars
- I like diagnosing problems with tools and data
- I’m comfortable explaining technical problems simply
Still torn? Take the Auto Body Technician fit quiz and the Automotive Service Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto body technician or automotive service technician?
Auto Body Technicians earn more at the median: $54,890 versus $50,620 for automotive service technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Automotive Service Technicians typically train faster (6–24 months) than auto body technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects automotive service technicians to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.7% for auto body technicians.