Automotive service technicians and mechanics

NOC
72410

- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems of cars, light trucks, buses, and commercial transport trucks.

Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Moderate
Moderate

3-Year Job Openings

600
 

Median Hourly Wage

$25.00
$16.00
Low
$31.78
High

Average Salary

$51,900
 

Typically Required

College or apprenticeship

Employed

4,362
 
Job details

Full NOC Description

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Automotive service technicians
  • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor
  • Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults
  • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment
  • Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer's performance specifications
  • Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups
  • Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements.
  • Mechanical repairers - motor vehicle manufacturing
  • Inspect and test mechanical units, such as engines, transmissions, axles and brake systems, to locate faults and malfunctions
  • Diagnose faults or malfunctions and confirm findings with supervisor to determine whether to repair or replace unit
  • Repair or replace mechanical units or components using hand and power tools
  • Test and adjust units to specifications for proper performance
  • Complete reports to record problems and work performed.
  • Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics
  • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of commercial transport truck systems including chassis, frame, cab, body, engine and drive train, air brakes, steering, and fuel, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems
  • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of truck-trailer systems including structural, brake and electrical systems.
  • Workers in this unit group may specialize in the following areas: engine and fuel systems, transmission systems, air conditioning, cooling and heating systems, steering, alignment, brakes, drive lines, suspension, electrical and electronic systems, truck-trailer repair or diagnostic services.

Also Known As

  • apprentice motor vehicle mechanic
  • automobile mechanic
  • automotive service technician
  • brake systems mechanic
  • bus mechanic
  • mechanical upgrader - motor vehicle manufacturing
  • motor repairer - motor vehicle manufacturing
  • transmission mechanic
  • truck and transport mechanic
  • truck-trailer repairer
  • tune-up specialist - motor vehicle
Requirements

Employment Requirements

Automotive service technicians

  • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
  • Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario.
  • Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario.
  • Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing
  • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
  • On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.
  • Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics
  • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
  • Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon.
  • Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Provincial Regulation

  • Provincially Regulated: Yes
  • Compulsory: Yes
  • Red Seal: Yes

Regulation Body

Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

1.1%
Female
98.9%
Male
Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

12.2%
15-24
21.6%
25-34
21.9%
35-44
20.1%
45-54
20.8%
55-64
3.4%
65+
Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

8.9%
No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
15.1%
High School, Diploma or Equivalent
38.6%
Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
36.3%
College or University Below Bachelor Level
1.1%
University - Bachelor Level or Above
Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

54.3%
Other services (except public administration)
17.3%
Retail trade
8.1%
Transportation and warehousing
20.3%
All Other Industries
Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

18.10%
Northeast
30.50%
Southeast
17.30%
Southwest
20.50%
Central
13.60%
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

$46,800
Northeast
$52,800
Southeast
$53,800
Southwest
$53,400
Central
$52,400
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Northeast

$23.00
$19.00
Low
$29.00
High

Southeast

$25.00
$16.00
Low
$31.78
High

Southwest

$24.00
$15.00
Low
$28.00
High

Central

$25.00
$16.00
Low
$31.78
High

Northwest

$23.00
$17.88
Low
$30.00
High
Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

New Brunswick

$51,900

Newfoundland

$58,200

Prince Edward Island

$50,400

Nova Scotia

$53,450

Canada

$60,350
Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Three Year Outlook

Total Openings: 3-Year

600
 

New Jobs: 3-Year

264
 

Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

337
 

Ten Year Outlook

Total Openings: 10-Year

1,594
 

New Jobs: 10-Year

510
 

Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

1,084