Excellent content sir! Some other factors to consider: 1. The training that a tech school student gets is 2 years worth of training that is not paid for by the dealership that also saves them travel and per diem, and lost productivity from the "greeny" tech not being at work and catching training classes over the course of six years. 2. The tech school students will accumulate factory training at a mcc more rapid pace that the dealership has to have to cover warranty work 3. The big dog tech might as well be called "Unicorn Tech" because they are so rare. They will also probably cost the dealer a sign on bonus to get them. They will also have a lot less years left in the tank compared to the long term potential of the tech school student. It's like signing a veteran running back to try a make the super bowl, knowing that they only have some many carries left in them before their knees and speed have diminished. 4. The common theme for this to work are dealerships that see past their 30 day balance sheet and don't leave their tech school guy in quick lib purgatory. I've seen many a wasted talent condemned to the lube rack for their entire tech school program only to be thrown to the wolves of flat rate without any mentoring or transition in my 20 years of auto tech instruction and coordinating the Mopar CAP program. 5. Tech School student needs to not get in a hurry to bury themselves in tool debt and/or giant truck payment debt while they are still a student or recent graduate. I've also lost students that had to decide that their truck/car payment was more important than their tuition and quit school before finishing because they have the burden of debt that they created for themself. 6. Better stop here. We could make another video out my first hand experiences with this topic, but it's not flashy and interesting as most other topics.
Lol! All valid points and unfortunately with generalities I couldn’t go into more “if’s” in this video or it’d be a 2 hr video😁 However, as for the #4...I am going to be doing another video here soon on shops using or misusing their technicians especially while in training. Dealerships and shops seem to need educated as much or more than the students!
A GOOD automotive mechanic on average is worth way more than what they are getting paid. The whole structure and perception needs to change in order to improve a mechanics true worth in the industry.
Dude! I literally just found out about the GM ASEP program earlier today when I was looking at what I’m going to do with my life when I get out the military. This video just gave me so much information on an idea of what to expect financially with the program. Thank you!
im into a tech school right now, this made me feel a bit better with my decision on going rather than just start off as a lube tech in a dealership. thank you for this video! really informative!
I’ve been in this trade a long time...40 years. I have 3 red seal certifications,automotive,heavy duty and truck transport.If I had to do it over again I would have picked another trade.It has provided a good living but all the training,responsibilities and money in tools to earn $40-45 an hour?There are a lot of better trades out there that pay just as much if not more and cost much less to get into.Just my opinion
Agreed. Went to tech school two years and been at it with dealership and recently went on my own 4 months ago . Making more money than before as hourly but it ain’t worth it anymore . All the warranty bull crap you have to deal with when you can easily go do something else and make more money with less stress . I’ll keep it as a hobby working on cars
I'm a Nissan Dealer tech. Its Interesting to hear how Chrysler does their training. Much different for nissan. Nissan has 4 Main training areas, Engine repair, Electrical, Chassis, and Driveline. We have over 100 online training modules to take. Then about 10 instructor led courses, which you have to take at a Nissan training facility. Once you take all of those you can take the instructor led courses for the specially areas which are Diesel Titan, Gtr, Hybrid, and Leaf.
dealerships dont give a flying fuck if youre master certified, they only care if they meet shop quota for qualified techs so they get paid for the warranty work from the manufacturer, and ASE, that shits a joke too
Sorry but this is incorrect, especially in Chrysler dealerships. If they don’t have technicians who are master certified for completing some certain jobs under warranty specifications, they can’t do the job. If they also don’t have any master certified technicians that takes the dealership’s service score down and gives them less leeway on warranty coverage and less percentage discount on parts. And as of currently Chrysler requires ASE certs to get Master certification status.
I missed my calling trying out for school but had that mechanical mindset that no amount of school could teach someone who doesn't have it how to get it
Another thing to consider is when a dealer steals a tech from a different shop, that tech may want more than just extra money per hour. For example. Lets say I get 3 weeks of vacation. The other dealer better sweeten the pot. Im going to ask for 5 weeks and meet in the middle with 4 weeks. Not work Saturdays even if its only for 4-5 hrs.
This seems accurate. I’m a trainee at a mercedes Benz dealership and make $17 an hour . I’m at the entry level of the program.I’m currently working on getting my ase and factory training.
Honestly, I think every trade is dealing with a shortage. I have a small cabinet shop in a rural area and it's not easy getting an apprentice. 4 years of training and I admit we do not pay enough. But competition sets the price. Also, young people still have the mentality that the trades are for the ones that could not make it to higher education ( university). In other words as a tradesman you lack intelligence. The media perpetuates this stereotype which is why it's difficult to attract the right people. I could go on but it's a long story. Great video BTW.
Or, they have no information. Owners of these businesses have relied on the internet and someone else to staff. When you got a job, how did you find it? Friend of friend? Job fair? Or the owner just seeing character traits they liked, walking up, and giving them a job, and training them. Young people see a job like yours, and goes I don’t know how to build cabinets, they look at your prereqs and go shit I just got out of high school. So they slide right on past, maybe put on your offering, that you train on the job.
One of the greatest compliments was my collegiate friend telling her all of her Masters classmates that I dropped out of college and am smarter than a lot of them
I always do this math in my head and I come to the same conclusion. Most techs undervalue themselves, and dam I need to open a shop 😂 great video you generally don’t see guys talk about the nuts and bolts of the industry and they need to!
It is definitely much more interesting to get techs the information they need to negotiate their pay based on what they are worth as well. I’m also hoping this video finds its way to service managers also who are thinking of letting experienced techs go for petty reasoning. Maybe they’ll see the dollars and cents to what we are actually worth👍🏻
This is good the only thing that this does not get into is tools costs. The dealership i was at had me do everything from oil and lube to . I had gone into the shop with well over 10 k. This all from side hustle jobs.
I’ve been in the business for 29 years and I know a lot of master Techs that couldn’t fix their way out of a paper bag I also know some texts I’ve been only doing it for three or four years I can fix anything you put in front of them a little too much is put on the education and ranking of master then should be it should be more about your ability and how well they quickly fix things
My father put many years into automotive when he was in high school, Got a job in a shop was doing great, But later changed his career for commercial Hvac. His office is wallpapered with certifications. I learned a lot from him, But I always leaned toward automotive. He always told me we have technical minds. My grandfather was a heavy equipment tech. I dedicated my younger years, Learning & working on Appliances, From refrigerators to vacuum cleaners, cars, trucks, Developed a fascination with hydraulics, air flow, Filtration water & air. Just about anything that was not a living organism. I studied constantly, Reading book after book, Watching videos, Instructionals. I was so busy applying my passion for the physics of all these thing's, That I didn't know my abilities (in a shop setting) Fast forward I got a job at a local dealership started at $14 per hour, 2 years later I got the shop foreman position, Making 90k a year. Blazed thru all my training. I had a Couple of my instructors so impressed they pulled me out of shop to give me an Engineer test. They asked me if the courses are "Too easy" 😆 Side note I failed the engineering screening. Haha. I have be told my methods are different, and sometimes hard to understand but the are very proficient & accurate. What I'm saying is I had an Obsession, That has turned into a career. I did not spend money for schooling. I dropped out of high school & got my ged many years later. I now have Epa certs, Ase certs, & more factory level certs. Now I Babysit, Loan tools & put out fires all day. I am bored again however. I want to change Manufacturers so I can expand my knowledge base, But the pay cut is too extreme to stomach. Any dealer I go to wants to offer flat rate at $25per hour. I fully understand why & I am not salty at the industry. It just seems I have hit a wall.. But I still want more. I have forced myself to stay in my current position because I'm comfortable. But each passing day is more unbearable. Teaching basics to new hires repeatedly has more than taking its toll.
On the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the state of Ohio under the category of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 49-3023 the average hourly pay or (Mean) is $19.73 per hour. To earn above $56,100 per year you would need to be in the 75th percentile. To earn over 68K Per year you would need to be in the 90 percentile. Some of your numbers seem to be extremely skewed.
The Bereau of Labor Statistics takes into account All TECHNICIANS. The vast majority of Automotive technicians aren't making the kind of money you are alleging. i.e. 99% (That means dealership or otherwise.) Businesses use these Statistics for deciding how much to pay their employees before hiring them. Even if you hit the upper 90th percentile as an automotive technician you are 29K below what a plumber makes in the same category. I Invite you to see for yourself. (And thats without the tools and school loans.) C'MON MAN.....
In Australia it’s different we do 4 year apprenticeship which covers front to rear of vehicle so once qualified you a mechanic to be a master tech for a brand we then do 1.5 to 3 years manufacture training time depends on student I know I did master for Holden in 1.5 years Nissan has taken me longer only due to COVID-19 at I would be doing my master tech course for Nissan next year
Great info! But... The dark part of this is that there are plenty of greeenies that can put in serious work and will gladly do the work those BD's will in hopes of more money. I've seen it on the floor. Just because you can cert doesn't mean you can physically do the work. This is just MY experience in a heavy duty diesel shop over the last 16yrs. Still great info and I hope it helps the next gen coming in to take my place
Ive been at a ford dealership for a year and a half now and im just waiting to get sent to training because of covid. Ive done almost every online course that they offer
Been with a Kia dealer for a year had my online completely training cleared and days before leaving for some of my first classes covid shut it all down....
The big dog also infects others around them. They can teach. Experience is worth more than the $$ made as an individual contributor. Also, 6 years is a long time to retain someone.
I'm a mack/volvo diesel tech. (New to the industry, 1 1/2 years) it seems the certification they offer is only to become a mack/volvo master mechanic. I'm not sure if ASE offers master tech for heavy duty, but being a master tech is the goal. Anyway, thanks for the video. Always good stuff.
They do and a lot of the diesel guys just ignore it as its a massive waste. Hell the T-1 test is for gas engines. ASE for the heavy guys are like phd's for engineers, its a waste unless your looking to teach later on.
@@shelbyfz07vtec65 most diesel shops are hourly and do not care about ase's its about the brand. Now in saying that, I spent 5 years as a commercial diesel tech never got any certs but did do a lot of other classes. I left and went to an auto indy shop. When I came on i asked for a percentage of the shop rate, because of that my base rate is well over 35 my euro rate is low 40's, my diesel rate is over 50. This also has me with a built in pay raise as we have slowly been raising the shop rates over the last year.
You left one thing out. It's not just about hours turned but what kind of hours. Heavy line work that needs certified techs or a guy turning lots of hours doing gravey. Transmissions and engines make money with the parts too.
Fair enough, too many variables to quantify here but a manager should be able to. Example, I'm the only diesel tech, I did a job under warranty the parts alone where $10k. Even the best gravy tech is going to struggle to being that much in on ONE job.
personally, having gone through the GM ASEP program, I would say its actually better to be in the lube bay and weasle your way into the graces of a full on experience tech (probably heavy line being worth more) who agrees to takes you on as an apprentice and specialize in the department.
Did you not get assigned a master technician to apprentice under in the ASEP program? Around here that’s pretty much normal practice to work under at least a highly trained tech for at least two years. Getting stuck on a lube bay while going through ASEP would be a waste of time and money for both the student and the dealership.
@@RustbeltMechanic we're supposed to on paper. I was the only one in the class who stayed in lube bay till the end (not counting dropouts) I talked to the trans guy who i made friends with and we both talked to management but they played games so i left when i finished ASEP.
What if you worked somewhere else while in school like amazon or something and made more than that. I don't really want to work at a shop until I am done with tech school. I am currently at amazon warehouse and make decent money and was going to go to a tech school at night. So I would be working more of a full time job while going to tech school. Then I would be trying to get into a dealer ship or something.
I'm master auto certified A1 through A9. I have L1, L2 and L3. Master med/hvy truck T1 through T8 I also have X1 C1, P2 G1. 24 certs right now. I get paid a lot more than any of the examples in this vieo.
Normally a journey level mechanic will make 1/3 of the shop labor rate. How I got all my licenses and certifications was I paid for everything. After that the shop I was working for paid for the updates. A lot of other professions are also 1/3 of the labor rate.
For an independent shop yeah but not dealers, as they expect you to make up the lower pay by flagging more hours. The honda dealer near me tops out at 25. but their masters flag right around 65-70 hours a week.
depends on the shop and managers and area i seen a couple guys 300k but the rest are around 45k to 75k regards of the field weather its auto,marine,heavy equipment. most dealers are all about the monthly goals that managers set. the whole industry just needs to invest into the current tech pool after all it will benifit them in the long run regardless if they stay or go. funny employers retention efforts are extremely low even given the smaller amount of work force
My personal experience there's always more money in heavy equipment and big rigs and a lot faster dealer seem to take advantage of there workers and the service writter. Can make you or break you no thanks
I'm currently finishing my third year of schooling under the master tech program which I did 2 years automotive and now 1 year diesel which is semi/tractor/const.. is there places that work on both? I'm leaning to the diesel side of things probably field service truck eventually. But if there's places that exist to use all the knowledge I've learned then why not there?
Also after being a mechanic for six years do you really make 70k plus a year. Some of the guys I have talked to make it seam like you can't make good money. Like closer to 30k to 35k a year.
The guys who can’t make over 50k at least after that much time are either getting hosed or they gripe too much about never want to get training/certification and love sitting on their toolbox watching tic Tok all day.
I went thru the Ford ASSET program back in 1994. Even then there was a lot of talk about the Technician shortage. I made master tech in less than 3 years. Left the dealer life in 1999 and never looked back. Work in the automotive testing world now. Another interesting video would be the attrition in the dealerships. Students going thru the corporate programs and leaving or becoming service writers etc.. would be interested in talking more if you are. Let me know.
My saying is if you wanna truly learn and become a good tech go to the dealer....after that if you wanna make money find a good indy shop to work for....
can you give a Agriculture Equipment Tech student here. please give me some input on if the industry is more lucrative in heavy equipment or semi trucks?
a master tech is worth this much in a dealership : "pizza party for making months end qouta (get it at the end of the year though to make it a christmas bonus as well)"
They section off the jobs where low skill techs get the easy work and only use the masters for what they can’t do. Pay the master a little more but then they make half the hours so the lube tech plus makes more money.
Actually the tech school guys normally change jobs after graduation because of the lack of shops that will take part time techs. So they should be figured both ways, the numbers will change - BIG TIME
Not sure where that is seen at but definitely not around here... Every dealer tech school program within 100 miles has every tech placed and under contract.... usually even before the student starts school or is out of high school. Businesses are taking the tech prep side of things seriously around here and snatching them up early.
Iowa/Nebraska area. I guess each area is different but almost all of my graduating class in '07 were all placed in independent shops. I personal had to do indi until graduation & then I moved over to a dealer I had been 'pre-hired' at.
@@unlisted8042 To keep it simple...I have a 72" Harbor Freight box with a 42" top box and side cabinet on it. Holds all the tools I need plus I have cabinets to hold more and things with cases etc. I spent more money on tools and investing in other areas. No judgement to those that spend their hard earned money on a nice box, but for about 3 years now these have served me well and I have been able to put that other money elsewhere like saving and starting my own shop. No customer is going to come through the door and walk into the shop area and say no I'm leaving because they see my US General box vs a Snap On. If they do actually react that way it probably is not a customer you want in the first place.
@@GearHeadsGarageChannel That’s my logic. Tools make you money, not boxes. I rarely buy snap on tools either. Almost all companies now have a great warranty. I’m in this to make money not blow it to look cool.
I worked at one dealership that was going to send me to school. They told me they would and it would be adter 5 years. I told them i have a family i cant wait 5 years so i found other places
We too have a shortage of qualified tradespeople in all fields however it seems no one is willing to put on apprentices to train them even though most state governments almost make training completely free to the apprentice and the company employing them to complete there apprenticeship. Inclusive of the trade school training (Tafe) program to get their certification. Plus incentives to reduce wages.
The wait times right now on in person courses at least for the dealer level is painful. It’s sad seeing however many people wanting to better their careers and being told no you may have to wait a year or two🤷♂️
In my experience, manufacturer training is way more important than ASE certification. I was master certified in one brand with 8 years experience in that brand. I’m now at Ford which requires all their training and 5 years Ford experience to be senior master certification.
Some manufacturers do give better pay and certs to ASE certified guys. To be “master” certified in any area for Chrysler you have to have the ASE cert as well.
@@RustbeltMechanic crazy part is independent shops pay more then the dealers you were talking about. I get more money per hour then the big dog you spoke about. Idk if the dealer life is the best way.
@@jamespizzi6689 it also really depends on what area you are in also. Around this area you won’t make more than that in the independent side of things unless you are at a heavy duty diesel station and have some experience.
But you have scanner danner for what you truly need. Why follow step by step directions that the manuals give when you can use that to learn the system and apply his teach ij nvs by using logic.
I'm from Quebec,Canada aswell, hour rate is much lower up here compared to US. Although, per experience you sir are getting abused by the John Deere dealership you're at. I work for Toyota Industrial, exclusively rebuilding engines and transmissions for their mining equipment division. Been there for 3 months now after 3 years working my own buisness and i'd say that i make 40% more that what you make at JD. You need to have a serious talk with them or move on.
The term "master mechanic" is thrown around way too much. You ain't a master mechanic if you work at a dealer. You just aren't. Not even close. I don't care what plaque they give you. I work with "Grand Master" techs and they don't know a lot. You really get the label by answering silly little questions on a test that you can cheat at very easily and there's a lot of brand specific questions. When these guys work on other brands its like their new guys lmfao. A real master mechanic is a diagnostician that works heavily with oscilloscopes on every brand and any problem. Nuts and bolts shit is not a problem. Those guys make up probably like 1% of techs.
Most of the legitimate master mechanics I know are the smartest people I've ever met. Professional problem solvers with an apptitude unlike any other profession. We all get shit on. Also, of you really, really want to do it you can get experience out of a dealership and still get your L1 Master specialist rating. I did. No school, just passion.
Excellent content sir! Some other factors to consider:
1. The training that a tech school student gets is 2 years worth of training that is not paid for by the dealership that also saves them travel and per diem, and lost productivity from the "greeny" tech not being at work and catching training classes over the course of six years.
2. The tech school students will accumulate factory training at a mcc more rapid pace that the dealership has to have to cover warranty work
3. The big dog tech might as well be called "Unicorn Tech" because they are so rare. They will also probably cost the dealer a sign on bonus to get them. They will also have a lot less years left in the tank compared to the long term potential of the tech school student. It's like signing a veteran running back to try a make the super bowl, knowing that they only have some many carries left in them before their knees and speed have diminished.
4. The common theme for this to work are dealerships that see past their 30 day balance sheet and don't leave their tech school guy in quick lib purgatory. I've seen many a wasted talent condemned to the lube rack for their entire tech school program only to be thrown to the wolves of flat rate without any mentoring or transition in my 20 years of auto tech instruction and coordinating the Mopar CAP program.
5. Tech School student needs to not get in a hurry to bury themselves in tool debt and/or giant truck payment debt while they are still a student or recent graduate. I've also lost students that had to decide that their truck/car payment was more important than their tuition and quit school before finishing because they have the burden of debt that they created for themself.
6. Better stop here. We could make another video out my first hand experiences with this topic, but it's not flashy and interesting as most other topics.
Lol! All valid points and unfortunately with generalities I couldn’t go into more “if’s” in this video or it’d be a 2 hr video😁 However, as for the #4...I am going to be doing another video here soon on shops using or misusing their technicians especially while in training. Dealerships and shops seem to need educated as much or more than the students!
@@RustbeltMechanic agreed👍
A GOOD automotive mechanic on average is worth way more than what they are getting paid.
The whole structure and perception needs to change in order to improve a mechanics true worth in the industry.
Master mechanics are worth a ton more than money. Knowledge is power
Tell that to the dealerships lmao
@@b0lbi exactly dealerships will lowball any chance they get. At the end of the day it’s not about your worth but rather what you negotiate.
Dude! I literally just found out about the GM ASEP program earlier today when I was looking at what I’m going to do with my life when I get out the military. This video just gave me so much information on an idea of what to expect financially with the program. Thank you!
im into a tech school right now, this made me feel a bit better with my decision on going rather than just start off as a lube tech in a dealership. thank you for this video! really informative!
How you doing in it is it really hard and alot of money?
I’ve been in this trade a long time...40 years. I have 3 red seal certifications,automotive,heavy duty and truck transport.If I had to do it over again I would have picked another trade.It has provided a good living but all the training,responsibilities and money in tools to earn $40-45 an hour?There are a lot of better trades out there that pay just as much if not more and cost much less to get into.Just my opinion
what kinds of trades would u say are better then?
i saw theres one nearby where the training is for 2 years or something like that in a trade school
Agreed. Went to tech school two years and been at it with dealership and recently went on my own 4 months ago . Making more money than before as hourly but it ain’t worth it anymore . All the warranty bull crap you have to deal with when you can easily go do something else and make more money with less stress . I’ll keep it as a hobby working on cars
I'm a Nissan Dealer tech. Its Interesting to hear how Chrysler does their training. Much different for nissan. Nissan has 4 Main training areas, Engine repair, Electrical, Chassis, and Driveline. We have over 100 online training modules to take. Then about 10 instructor led courses, which you have to take at a Nissan training facility. Once you take all of those you can take the instructor led courses for the specially areas which are Diesel Titan, Gtr, Hybrid, and Leaf.
dealerships dont give a flying fuck if youre master certified, they only care if they meet shop quota for qualified techs so they get paid for the warranty work from the manufacturer, and ASE, that shits a joke too
Sorry but this is incorrect, especially in Chrysler dealerships. If they don’t have technicians who are master certified for completing some certain jobs under warranty specifications, they can’t do the job. If they also don’t have any master certified technicians that takes the dealership’s service score down and gives them less leeway on warranty coverage and less percentage discount on parts. And as of currently Chrysler requires ASE certs to get Master certification status.
I missed my calling trying out for school but had that mechanical mindset that no amount of school could teach someone who doesn't have it how to get it
I'm sad to say I'm not a mechanic but still watched the video and it was really interesting. Thanks for the info.
Another thing to consider is when a dealer steals a tech from a different shop, that tech may want more than just extra money per hour.
For example. Lets say I get 3 weeks of vacation. The other dealer better sweeten the pot. Im going to ask for 5 weeks and meet in the middle with 4 weeks. Not work Saturdays even if its only for 4-5 hrs.
This seems accurate. I’m a trainee at a mercedes Benz dealership and make $17 an hour . I’m at the entry level of the program.I’m currently working on getting my ase and factory training.
Honestly, I think every trade is dealing with a shortage. I have a small cabinet shop in a rural area and it's not easy getting an apprentice. 4 years of training and I admit we do not pay enough. But competition sets the price. Also, young people still have the mentality that the trades are for the ones that could not make it to higher education ( university). In other words as a tradesman you lack intelligence. The media perpetuates this stereotype which is why it's difficult to attract the right people. I could go on but it's a long story. Great video BTW.
Desperate slaves (people in debt) set the price. That goes for all industries.
Or, they have no information. Owners of these businesses have relied on the internet and someone else to staff. When you got a job, how did you find it? Friend of friend? Job fair? Or the owner just seeing character traits they liked, walking up, and giving them a job, and training them. Young people see a job like yours, and goes I don’t know how to build cabinets, they look at your prereqs and go shit I just got out of high school. So they slide right on past, maybe put on your offering, that you train on the job.
One of the greatest compliments was my collegiate friend telling her all of her Masters classmates that I dropped out of college and am smarter than a lot of them
I always do this math in my head and I come to the same conclusion. Most techs undervalue themselves, and dam I need to open a shop 😂 great video you generally don’t see guys talk about the nuts and bolts of the industry and they need to!
It is definitely much more interesting to get techs the information they need to negotiate their pay based on what they are worth as well. I’m also hoping this video finds its way to service managers also who are thinking of letting experienced techs go for petty reasoning. Maybe they’ll see the dollars and cents to what we are actually worth👍🏻
This is good the only thing that this does not get into is tools costs.
The dealership i was at had me do everything from oil and lube to .
I had gone into the shop with well over 10 k.
This all from side hustle jobs.
I make 90k as a ups mechanic plus benefits highly recommend being a fleet mechanic
Are you union ???? And what state????
@@johnb1121 iam in Indiana yes we are union teamsters
@@mattyounis5636 nice
I’ve been in the business for 29 years and I know a lot of master Techs that couldn’t fix their way out of a paper bag I also know some texts I’ve been only doing it for three or four years I can fix anything you put in front of them a little too much is put on the education and ranking of master then should be it should be more about your ability and how well they quickly fix things
My father put many years into automotive when he was in high school, Got a job in a shop was doing great, But later changed his career for commercial Hvac. His office is wallpapered with certifications. I learned a lot from him, But I always leaned toward automotive. He always told me we have technical minds. My grandfather was a heavy equipment tech. I dedicated my younger years, Learning & working on Appliances, From refrigerators to vacuum cleaners, cars, trucks, Developed a fascination with hydraulics, air flow, Filtration water & air. Just about anything that was not a living organism. I studied constantly, Reading book after book, Watching videos, Instructionals. I was so busy applying my passion for the physics of all these thing's, That I didn't know my abilities (in a shop setting)
Fast forward I got a job at a local dealership started at $14 per hour, 2 years later I got the shop foreman position, Making 90k a year. Blazed thru all my training. I had a Couple of my instructors so impressed they pulled me out of shop to give me an Engineer test. They asked me if the courses are "Too easy" 😆
Side note I failed the engineering screening. Haha. I have be told my methods are different, and sometimes hard to understand but the are very proficient & accurate.
What I'm saying is I had an Obsession, That has turned into a career. I did not spend money for schooling. I dropped out of high school & got my ged many years later. I now have Epa certs, Ase certs, & more factory level certs. Now I Babysit, Loan tools & put out fires all day.
I am bored again however. I want to change Manufacturers so I can expand my knowledge base, But the pay cut is too extreme to stomach. Any dealer I go to wants to offer flat rate at $25per hour. I fully understand why & I am not salty at the industry. It just seems I have hit a wall.. But I still want more. I have forced myself to stay in my current position because I'm comfortable. But each passing day is more unbearable. Teaching basics to new hires repeatedly has more than taking its toll.
@@vortextremesg3874 Start your own shop. Also, how do i become a mechanic. Do I just go to a shop and work my way up?
On the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the state of Ohio under the category of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 49-3023 the average hourly pay or (Mean) is $19.73 per hour. To earn above $56,100 per year you would need to be in the 75th percentile. To earn over 68K Per year you would need to be in the 90 percentile. Some of your numbers seem to be extremely skewed.
Those statistics take in to account all automotive technicians. I only took into account and interviewed dealership technicians.
The Bereau of Labor Statistics takes into account All TECHNICIANS. The vast majority of Automotive technicians aren't making the kind of money you are alleging. i.e. 99% (That means dealership or otherwise.) Businesses use these Statistics for deciding how much to pay their employees before hiring them. Even if you hit the upper 90th percentile as an automotive technician you are 29K below what a plumber makes in the same category. I Invite you to see for yourself. (And thats without the tools and school loans.) C'MON MAN.....
In Australia it’s different we do 4 year apprenticeship which covers front to rear of vehicle so once qualified you a mechanic to be a master tech for a brand we then do 1.5 to 3 years manufacture training time depends on student I know I did master for Holden in 1.5 years Nissan has taken me longer only due to COVID-19 at I would be doing my master tech course for Nissan next year
Great info! But... The dark part of this is that there are plenty of greeenies that can put in serious work and will gladly do the work those BD's will in hopes of more money. I've seen it on the floor. Just because you can cert doesn't mean you can physically do the work. This is just MY experience in a heavy duty diesel shop over the last 16yrs. Still great info and I hope it helps the next gen coming in to take my place
Ive been at a ford dealership for a year and a half now and im just waiting to get sent to training because of covid. Ive done almost every online course that they offer
Been with a Kia dealer for a year had my online completely training cleared and days before leaving for some of my first classes covid shut it all down....
this is why you do diesel and do not work for flat rate. out of school fedex pays 25.25 in texas
The big dog also infects others around them. They can teach. Experience is worth more than the $$ made as an individual contributor. Also, 6 years is a long time to retain someone.
I'm a mack/volvo diesel tech. (New to the industry, 1 1/2 years) it seems the certification they offer is only to become a mack/volvo master mechanic. I'm not sure if ASE offers master tech for heavy duty, but being a master tech is the goal. Anyway, thanks for the video. Always good stuff.
They do and a lot of the diesel guys just ignore it as its a massive waste. Hell the T-1 test is for gas engines. ASE for the heavy guys are like phd's for engineers, its a waste unless your looking to teach later on.
@@TinoR626 in my opinion it gives you leverage for a pay raise and honestly investing the time to study improves your knowledge
@@shelbyfz07vtec65 most diesel shops are hourly and do not care about ase's its about the brand. Now in saying that, I spent 5 years as a commercial diesel tech never got any certs but did do a lot of other classes. I left and went to an auto indy shop. When I came on i asked for a percentage of the shop rate, because of that my base rate is well over 35 my euro rate is low 40's, my diesel rate is over 50. This also has me with a built in pay raise as we have slowly been raising the shop rates over the last year.
Really great stuff! Looking forward to more content for mechanics!
Thanks🤘🏻
I'm a flat rate tech. I make 35 an hour an average 75 hours a week and sometimes hit 100 hours on the busy weeks
what area
@@mattm2411 mass
You left one thing out. It's not just about hours turned but what kind of hours. Heavy line work that needs certified techs or a guy turning lots of hours doing gravey. Transmissions and engines make money with the parts too.
Yep that is very true but hard to quantify in a situation like this. That is definitely a manager discretionary decision
Fair enough, too many variables to quantify here but a manager should be able to. Example, I'm the only diesel tech, I did a job under warranty the parts alone where $10k. Even the best gravy tech is going to struggle to being that much in on ONE job.
personally, having gone through the GM ASEP program, I would say its actually better to be in the lube bay and weasle your way into the graces of a full on experience tech (probably heavy line being worth more) who agrees to takes you on as an apprentice and specialize in the department.
Did you not get assigned a master technician to apprentice under in the ASEP program? Around here that’s pretty much normal practice to work under at least a highly trained tech for at least two years. Getting stuck on a lube bay while going through ASEP would be a waste of time and money for both the student and the dealership.
@@RustbeltMechanic we're supposed to on paper. I was the only one in the class who stayed in lube bay till the end (not counting dropouts) I talked to the trans guy who i made friends with and we both talked to management but they played games so i left when i finished ASEP.
I took the asep program here in Canada and we had 2 days a week in the shop and then when o had like 3 blocks left they just moved me over .
What if you worked somewhere else while in school like amazon or something and made more than that. I don't really want to work at a shop until I am done with tech school. I am currently at amazon warehouse and make decent money and was going to go to a tech school at night. So I would be working more of a full time job while going to tech school. Then I would be trying to get into a dealer ship or something.
I'm master auto certified A1 through A9. I have L1, L2 and L3. Master med/hvy truck T1 through T8 I also have X1 C1, P2 G1. 24 certs right now. I get paid a lot more than any of the examples in this vieo.
With all due respect you are an outlier though.
heavy equipment journeyman for the company i work for make 138k a year plus 24k in per diem and a master makes 178k a year plus 24k per diem
That’s what I’m taking about cars don’t pay shit I’ve been equipment my whole life .
Equipment is where the big company money is at right now for sure
@@acinstaller92 yes sir that and the oilfield is where ive made my best livings form
Normally a journey level mechanic will make 1/3 of the shop labor rate. How I got all my licenses and certifications was I paid for everything. After that the shop I was working for paid for the updates. A lot of other professions are also 1/3 of the labor rate.
For an independent shop yeah but not dealers, as they expect you to make up the lower pay by flagging more hours. The honda dealer near me tops out at 25. but their masters flag right around 65-70 hours a week.
depends on the shop and managers and area
i seen a couple guys 300k but the rest are around 45k to 75k
regards of the field weather its auto,marine,heavy equipment.
most dealers are all about the monthly goals that managers set.
the whole industry just needs to invest into the current tech pool after all it will benifit them in the long run regardless if they stay or go.
funny employers retention efforts are extremely low even given the smaller amount of work force
What's the difference between master mechanic and master technician
My personal experience there's always more money in heavy equipment and big rigs and a lot faster dealer seem to take advantage of there workers and the service writter. Can make you or break you no thanks
Tool purchases should have been mentioned in this
I'm currently finishing my third year of schooling under the master tech program which I did 2 years automotive and now 1 year diesel which is semi/tractor/const.. is there places that work on both? I'm leaning to the diesel side of things probably field service truck eventually. But if there's places that exist to use all the knowledge I've learned then why not there?
Also after being a mechanic for six years do you really make 70k plus a year. Some of the guys I have talked to make it seam like you can't make good money. Like closer to 30k to 35k a year.
The guys who can’t make over 50k at least after that much time are either getting hosed or they gripe too much about never want to get training/certification and love sitting on their toolbox watching tic Tok all day.
I went thru the Ford ASSET program back in 1994. Even then there was a lot of talk about the Technician shortage. I made master tech in less than 3 years. Left the dealer life in 1999 and never looked back. Work in the automotive testing world now. Another interesting video would be the attrition in the dealerships. Students going thru the corporate programs and leaving or becoming service writers etc.. would be interested in talking more if you are. Let me know.
Do you make videos too?
@@scientist100 negative
My saying is if you wanna truly learn and become a good tech go to the dealer....after that if you wanna make money find a good indy shop to work for....
Master diesel technician here making 45 a hr plus 60 hours a week.
can you give a Agriculture Equipment Tech student here. please give me some input on if the industry is more lucrative in heavy equipment or semi trucks?
@@rafaguerrero2008 go for semi
a master tech is worth this much in a dealership : "pizza party for making months end qouta (get it at the end of the year though to make it a christmas bonus as well)"
They section off the jobs where low skill techs get the easy work and only use the masters for what they can’t do. Pay the master a little more but then they make half the hours so the lube tech plus makes more money.
What's the difference between master mechanic and master technician
I am a Nissan Master tech and I made 148k last year.
Actually the tech school guys normally change jobs after graduation because of the lack of shops that will take part time techs. So they should be figured both ways, the numbers will change - BIG TIME
Not sure where that is seen at but definitely not around here... Every dealer tech school program within 100 miles has every tech placed and under contract.... usually even before the student starts school or is out of high school. Businesses are taking the tech prep side of things seriously around here and snatching them up early.
Iowa/Nebraska area. I guess each area is different but almost all of my graduating class in '07 were all placed in independent shops. I personal had to do indi until graduation & then I moved over to a dealer I had been 'pre-hired' at.
From snap on to sunex tools
I’ve been wrenching for 2 years now and I’m flagging 80 hours at firestone
Lot of great info 👍
We need good mechanics keep them coming.
I’m worth $2,000 an hour when your car breaks down in Death Valley, CA.
Supply and demand man!
ford tech in Chicago 38.50 labor door rate 190
Im a practical engineer what would it take to be a master mechanic can i convert my diploma to this certification?
why do mechanics spend 10's of thousands on them snap on boxes when they don't actually make you money?
Not all of us do lol
@@GearHeadsGarageChannel lol. good to know.
@@unlisted8042 To keep it simple...I have a 72" Harbor Freight box with a 42" top box and side cabinet on it. Holds all the tools I need plus I have cabinets to hold more and things with cases etc. I spent more money on tools and investing in other areas. No judgement to those that spend their hard earned money on a nice box, but for about 3 years now these have served me well and I have been able to put that other money elsewhere like saving and starting my own shop. No customer is going to come through the door and walk into the shop area and say no I'm leaving because they see my US General box vs a Snap On. If they do actually react that way it probably is not a customer you want in the first place.
@@GearHeadsGarageChannel That’s my logic. Tools make you money, not boxes. I rarely buy snap on tools either. Almost all companies now have a great warranty. I’m in this to make money not blow it to look cool.
I wanna know a master tech making less than 35 an hour never heard of it
How much did the Dealer cost us?
I worked at one dealership that was going to send me to school.
They told me they would and it would be adter 5 years.
I told them i have a family i cant wait 5 years so i found other places
Definitely don’t blame you there. Gotta look out for yourself and family first.
The more slaves in debt, the lower the pay. The same for all industries.
How easy is it to get picked up by a dealership in the USA to complete this? In Australia, winning the lotto is easier.
Dealerships around here are begging for techs to get from apprenticeship programs
That's the dream! Maybe I should move to the US.
We too have a shortage of qualified tradespeople in all fields however it seems no one is willing to put on apprentices to train them even though most state governments almost make training completely free to the apprentice and the company employing them to complete there apprenticeship. Inclusive of the trade school training (Tafe) program to get their certification. Plus incentives to reduce wages.
I've waited for one hell of a time to decide to go back for some certifications. I do not like online courses.
The wait times right now on in person courses at least for the dealer level is painful. It’s sad seeing however many people wanting to better their careers and being told no you may have to wait a year or two🤷♂️
What about a independent tech going into a dealer? Does there ASE certs help or do dealers only care about factory training?
In my experience, manufacturer training is way more important than ASE certification. I was master certified in one brand with 8 years experience in that brand. I’m now at Ford which requires all their training and 5 years Ford experience to be senior master certification.
Some manufacturers do give better pay and certs to ASE certified guys. To be “master” certified in any area for Chrysler you have to have the ASE cert as well.
@@RustbeltMechanic crazy part is independent shops pay more then the dealers you were talking about. I get more money per hour then the big dog you spoke about. Idk if the dealer life is the best way.
@@jamespizzi6689 it also really depends on what area you are in also. Around this area you won’t make more than that in the independent side of things unless you are at a heavy duty diesel station and have some experience.
oh, and to be quite honest rustbelt was never a fixed opt manager at a dealer, so this video is pointless
????
But you have scanner danner for what you truly need. Why follow step by step directions that the manuals give when you can use that to learn the system and apply his teach ij nvs by using logic.
john deere tech in quebec canada ,24.50 after 8 year
Jajajajaj 8 years that's a joke
I'm from Quebec,Canada aswell, hour rate is much lower up here compared to US.
Although, per experience you sir are getting abused by the John Deere dealership you're at. I work for Toyota Industrial, exclusively rebuilding engines and transmissions for their mining equipment division. Been there for 3 months now after 3 years working my own buisness and i'd say that i make 40% more that what you make at JD.
You need to have a serious talk with them or move on.
im in almost mid 30$ at a dealership also in quebec
you should consider moving to another shop or have a talk buddy
The term "master mechanic" is thrown around way too much. You ain't a master mechanic if you work at a dealer. You just aren't. Not even close. I don't care what plaque they give you. I work with "Grand Master" techs and they don't know a lot. You really get the label by answering silly little questions on a test that you can cheat at very easily and there's a lot of brand specific questions. When these guys work on other brands its like their new guys lmfao.
A real master mechanic is a diagnostician that works heavily with oscilloscopes on every brand and any problem. Nuts and bolts shit is not a problem. Those guys make up probably like 1% of techs.
In my eye nothing because its just ego an they just F@$# up the same they just hid it better lol but I think your real lol
How much are you making rustnelt?
Now Chryslers trying to do virtual learning
Yea it sucks.
Good luck getting past the first two years in the south lol.
Most of the legitimate master mechanics I know are the smartest people I've ever met. Professional problem solvers with an apptitude unlike any other profession. We all get shit on. Also, of you really, really want to do it you can get experience out of a dealership and still get your L1 Master specialist rating. I did. No school, just passion.
The more slaves in debt, the lower the pay. The same for all industries.