If you have a passion for automobiles and are handy with tools, you might want to consider an automotive technician job as a career. They can be highly rewarding, both personally and financially. The average annual salary in the US is about $40,000 per year, but in Louisiana, the average is actually $37,940. However, remember that this number is just that – an average. There are auto technician jobs that pay quite a bit more, as well as those that pay less. If you’re considering this career path, you’ll want to ensure that you can earn as much as possible.
Get your certification to start
It is important to get the education you need. There are community colleges and technical schools throughout the state of Louisiana that offer automotive tech courses. Completing one of these will give you the basic skills and knowledge necessary to get started with your career. Some of the schools in the state you might want to consider include the following:
- SOWELA Technical Community College
- Louisiana Delta Community College
- South Louisiana Community College
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College
- Northshore Technical Community College
You’ll complete your course and earn your certification. This will give you the means to take advantage of entry-level automotive technician jobs. From there, you can continue your education by completing ASE courses and earning your certification. ASE certification is one of the best ways to ensure that you earn as much as possible from employers, as well as to guarantee that you have the right skills and knowledge for the profession.
There is also the possibility of going through dealership certification. For this to happen, you’ll need to work for a branded dealership. Automakers require that their partner dealers send mechanics through ongoing training and certification courses. These courses are tied directly to the automaker’s specific technology and designs across their production line, giving you a great deal of expertise in those makes and models.
Supplement your income with work as a mobile mechanic
Automotive technician jobs in Louisiana can be very lucrative, but you need to start off on the right foot. Get the education and training you need. Get ASE certified. Then plan your career and be open to new opportunities that might offer better pay than others.
While there are many career options for mechanics, one option you might consider is working with YourMechanic as a mobile mechanic. YourMechanic technicians earn up to $60 an hour and complete all work onsite at the car owner's location. As a mobile mechanic, you control your schedule, set your service area, and serve as your own boss. Learn more and apply.
