In the Southeast, North Carolina is one of the leading states when it comes to automotive technician jobs. Not only are there many jobs available, but you’ll find that the state’s average auto mechanic salary is considerably higher than the national average. Nationally, mechanics earn around $37,000 per year. However, in North Carolina, the average is actually $40,510. That’s quite a bit more. However, you can improve on that with the right education, training, and a little bit of planning regarding your career.
Education and certification make you more employable
Before you apply for automotive technician jobs, you need to ensure that you’re as employable as possible. That means getting the right education to begin with. A year-long course can provide you with the foundation you need for later success, and there are many schools throughout North Carolina that offer automotive repair and maintenance courses. Some of the options available include the following:
- Wake Technical Community College
- Alamance Community College
- Randolph Community College
- Central Carolina Community College
- Guilford Technical Community College
After completing your education and gaining your initial certification, you will need to continue to improve yourself. ASE certification is the standard in the industry, and you will find a number of ways you can further your education here. You can become certified in specialty areas, such as electronics, or transmission repair, or you can become an ASE certified master technician. This is one of the best options, as it makes you very employable, and helps ensure a higher auto mechanic salary from hirers. It is also a very important consideration if you ever want to start your own shop.
Dealer certification is an option as well, if you will be working with a branded dealership or want to focus on a particular automaker’s products. These courses will teach you about a particular automaker’s systems and designs. For instance, Ford dealership certification will focus exclusively on Ford’s technology and vehicles, and what you must know in order to service and repair them. Many automakers today work with dealerships to ensure their technicians are certified and trained properly.
Supplement your income with work as a mobile mechanic
Plan your career – go into the process armed with a strategy concerning where you want to be within the next few years. With the right planning and preparation, you can earn a good salary and enjoy a rewarding career.
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.
