If you have a background in auto mechanics, there are plenty of options for you to pursue a career that will let you put your knowledge and skills to work.
Here are some good careers for former mechanics:
-Apprentice mechanic: If you’re looking for a low-key career as an apprentice mechanic, this might be the route for you! There aren’t many apprenticeships available in the field of auto repair, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort it takes to learn how to fix cars, this could be a great option.
-Automotive technician: An automotive technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing vehicles. They are trained specifically on how to work on specific types of vehicles (such as cars), which makes it easier for them to troubleshoot problems when they arise. They also have access to equipment that allows them to diagnose problems remotely before they get too serious. This is a great job because it gives you more freedom than being an apprentice mechanic would—you can choose your own hours and take breaks whenever needed!
Good Careers For Former Mechanics
1. Mechanical assembler
National average salary: $37,687 per year
Primary duties: A mechanical assembler works in a production or assembly line to put together pieces of material using specific mechanical tools. They create the components that assemblers combine to make a finished product for customers. Some duties of this role include understanding how to use tools safely, reading product blueprints or design documents and, sometimes, testing the finished piece to ensure it meets company standards. This job is a great option for former mechanics because it involves using familiar tools and mechanical knowledge to create a functional physical product.
2. Welder
National average salary: $38,876 per year
Primary duties: A welder is tradesperson who uses heat, typically with a blowtorch, to join two pieces of material together. They often work with metals and may read blueprints for finished products, measure and cut pieces of material and understand shop safety, like what type of gear to wear. They can work in many environments and industries, including in mechanic shops or automobile factories. Welding can be a good change from mechanic work because it allows former mechanics to use their precision and critical-thinking skills to bond materials safely.
Read more: Learn About Being a Welder
3. Mechanical inspector
National average salary: $41,460 per year
Primary duties: A mechanical inspector visually observes and manually tests machines to ensure they work well and perform their purpose for clients. These machines could be factory equipment, large generators or other machines that help people live or produce products, and they do this by reviewing local machinery codes, reading documentation about the machine and using tools to test its functionality. Like mechanics, mechanical inspectors work closely with mechanical systems and may use similar tools to access the insides of these machines, like wrenches and screwdrivers.
4. Maintenance technician
National average salary: $44,280 per year
Primary duties: A maintenance technician may work for a single organization or visit multiple clients to inspect and maintain various mechanical systems and upkeep on their property. These technicians perform basic but varied work on many systems like HVACs, electrical wiring and sprinklers, plus general upkeep, like painting and landscaping. Their work involves regularly inspecting these areas and responding to requests from clients about problems. Maintenance technicians and mechanics both work with mechanical systems and perform repairs, which makes this job an easy switch from working on automobiles to learning about mechanical upkeep on an organization’s property.
Read more: Learn About Being a Maintenance Technician
5. Customer service representative
National average salary: $47,707 per year
Primary duties: A customer service representative answers questions and provides guidance to customers at their workplace to ensure they have a pleasant experience. To do this, they may greet customers who enter a store or shop, respond to requests and address concerns and provide coupons or other deals as solutions to problems. Many automotive shops employ customer service representatives, so this job can be a good option for mechanics who want to use their knowledge of the industry to help customers differently.
Read more: Learn About Being a Customer Service Representative
6. Maintenance supervisor
National average salary: $54,987 per year
Primary duties: A maintenance supervisor leads teams of maintenance technicians to maintain the presentation and functionality of an organization’s buildings. The duties of these supervisors include creating teams of talented technicians, sending technicians on specific maintenance jobs and inspecting and repairing the mechanical and decorative elements of a building. Former mechanics may have many technical skills that allow them to succeed as maintenance supervisors, and they might prefer the additional authority of this role.
7. Home inspector
National average salary: $55,121 per year
Primary duties: A home inspector closely examines homes to inform homeowners or buyers of potential concerns or defects on their properties. Residential inspectors typically have a deep understanding of building codes and a broad knowledge of various systems and maintenance requirements for foundations, flooring, electrical systems and other elements of a home. These professionals use checklists to perform an inspection and suggest repairs or specialized inspections to homeowners.
While home inspecting requires less of the technical skills many mechanics have, it uses other skills like attention to detail and critical thinking that make it a practical option for people skilled in mechanics.
8. Service technician
National average salary: $55,985 per year
Primary duties: A service technician visits the residences and businesses of clients to install and maintain products and appliances. In this role, a technician may specialize in a specific product, like water heaters, or may work with many types of products, like washers and dryers and stoves. Service technicians may drive trucks containing products and tools, install new or repair existing electrical or plumbing products for customers and answer questions to help clients learn more about these products.
Mechanical skills can be very useful in this field as service technicians often repair the insides of products and may use their knowledge of motors and other machinery.
9. Shop supervisor
National average salary: $65,316 per year
Primary duties: A shop supervisor in the automotive industry works in auto repair shops to oversee daily operations of their employees, who are typically mechanics and sales representatives. Auto repair supervisors may perform some work of a mechanic, but they also have a higher level of authority and can hire employees, provide training and ensure their shop meets regulations for safety and cleanliness. Mechanics with a few years of experience can consider this role to broaden their range of responsibilities and use their technical knowledge to teach new employees.
10. Truck driver
National average salary: $67,457 per year
Primary duties: A truck driver hauls cargo across a long distance using large trucks that attach to trailers. The duties of a truck driver include communicating with their employer to locate cargo, driving safely for long distances to a drop-off point, lifting products on and off their truck and performing minor repairs on their vehicle when necessary.
Having mechanical knowledge is a great skill for potential truck drivers as they often must repair vehicles until they can reach mechanic shops. This makes truck driving a viable option for former mechanics who no longer want to perform mechanical work full time.
Read more: Learn About Being a Truck Driver
11. Aircraft mechanic
National average salary: $67,550 per year
Primary duties: An aircraft mechanic performs typical mechanic duties but specializes in aircraft assembly, maintenance and repair. Mechanics who work on aircraft may have similar responsibilities to those who work on cars, but they use different sets of tools and equipment to reach tall aircraft, fix different elements like wings and propellors and manage complex internal machinery to make sure a flight is safe for passengers. Although the work is similar, automotive mechanics may appreciate the change in scale and the new systems that can work with as an aircraft mechanic.
