Car lovers of all stripes can turn their love for automobiles into a thriving career. Whether you want to repair engines, do routine maintenance, or fix damaged vehicles, there are plenty of money making opportunities for those with the right skills. Although some positions offer on-the-job training, many employers seek applicants with some type of postsecondary technical skills training.
Florida auto body repair technician programs prepare students for rewarding careers in the collision repair and refinishing industry. These programs are generally offered at vocational and technical colleges, and completion typically results in the award of a diploma or certificate. At some schools, credits may be applied toward earning an Associate's degree. Certificate programs generally take less than two years to complete, while Associate's degrees usually require two years of full-time study.
Auto body repair technicians in Florida are not required to be licensed but may wish to pursue a postsecondary education to advance their career to the next level. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that many employers prefer hiring technicians with postsecondary training, which also may be needed for promotions beyond entry-level positions.
In Florida, auto body repair technician programs can be found at a number of schools located throughout the state. In addition to the cost and length of these programs, students should consider whether a program's curriculum and training facilities meet their individual needs. Students are advised to visit several locations prior to making a final decision on attendance.
Since auto body repair technicians in Florida are not required to be licensed, curriculum varies slightly between schools. However, many schools prepare students to sit for ASE certification exams. Thus, many of the same issues are covered in the lab and classroom in order to prepare for these exams. Typical courses at Florida auto body repair technician programs include:
As with most service based careers, technical skill only provides one part of the recipe for success. Auto body repair technicians in Florida must also be able to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues. Some artistic ability, critical thinking skills, and a keen eye for detail are also imperative.
Auto body repair technicians are not required to be individually licensed, although obtaining industry recognized certifications may improve career and earnings prospects. The State of Florida does require all automotive repair shops and self-employed auto body repair technicians to register their business on a two-year basis.
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Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Automotive Body Repairers relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
Metro Area | Jobs | Annual Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Gainesville | N/A | $36,460 |
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | 370 | $48,040 |
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 390 | $44,910 |
Panama City | 100 | $40,470 |
Punta Gorda | 60 | $42,080 |
Sebastian-Vero Beach | 50 | $39,040 |
Sebring | 70 | $38,860 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 1350 | $42,180 |
Port St. Lucie | 190 | $38,600 |
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island | 110 | $54,410 |
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 200 | $43,860 |
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 200 | $36,980 |
Jacksonville | 830 | $38,790 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven | 220 | $38,000 |
Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 270 | $40,360 |
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | N/A | $42,430 |
Tallahassee | 130 | $34,980 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 1210 | $44,590 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 2740 | $45,460 |
Ocala | 140 | $42,690 |