Even old tech me with some money. I got back into wrenching. Still have my old suite of snap-on and I just about had a heart attack at snap-on tool prices today. Harbor Freight it is!😂
I bought a SnapOn box 42 years ago, and now I’ve got three tools that are broken that I need replaced. So I keep them in my truck console in hopes I come across a SnapOn truck.
Haha, I have an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology, 12 years experience, and $50k in tools, and I don't even work in the field anymore. I hear your pain brother!
I'm 28, 40k worth of tools, 10yrs in the field and an associates degree in automotive tech and I hate it I enjoyed it working on my own cars and when I first started off it felt good being the person that "saves the day" and the satisfaction from a hard day's work doesn't put food in my or my cat's stomach, doesn't pay my taxes and doesn't put gas in my car the auto industry as a whole just fucks you and pays you like a cheap whore best line that sums up the auto industry "boss makes a thousand I make a buck that's why I cut the cats from the company truck"
It's that way with a lot of entries to a skilled labor job. I started my own lawn business and went the cheapest route I could. And I'm right there with you for entry cost. Thankfully for me so far 9.9 out of 10 people pay what I ask. And even better there's a few who value what I do so much they give extra. Best of luck to you bro. Maybe try being a mobile mechanic. build up a regular base for maintenance work and obviously get those big money jobs as you can and want.
Same experience. I have easily over 100k in tools and did it for 12 years. Much better opportunities for way more money. Mechanics get treated like trash. Burns scratches and scars up and down the arms and never go a day with clean fingernails. Hvac license, electrical, plumber. And get paid half of what they make. Having to pay 200 a week health insurance, and have a bad reputation from customers always thinking everyone is trying to rip them off. We should all quit, and no one fix their cars.
@@isaackvasager9957 I still use them. Sometimes I do side jobs and I have track car. 100k isn't that hard to do, i have plenty of crossover dewalt milwaukee carpentry ect. jelousy doesn't get you anywhere.
I've got an estimated $50,000 (probably double that to replace them all today) sitting in my home garage since retiring at 59 last March. How many other professions are there that require that large of investment? Add in average tech pay, the daily stress, the phyical (and mental) damage done to the body. A tech has to be an electrician, electronics/computer system expert, machinist, a engine and drivetrain expert, diagnostics whiz, etc. Also the way vehicles are designed an engineered to be almost impossible to repair and it's no wonder there's a tech shortage. It's made even worse by dealerships and indy shops that pay flat-rape with ridiculously low labor times, ESPECIALLY new car warranty. In ten years, who's going to maintain and repair vehicles???? I was lucky to work at a great shop, with an awesome boss and the paid hourly with OT after 40 hrs, and they stress QUALITY over quantity. For me it was the vehicles that made me decide to retire. When you have to take the front doors off on a 2017 Ford Fusion to change the heater core, it's time to be done with it. BTW, retirement is awesome!
The HVAC industry is right there with you. A good tech will have $20k easily and get paid hourly while they charge flat rate. You do 3 hours of work in an hour, they pay you for the hour, collect the fee for 3. That is a big part why you dont see many 2nd and 3rd generation AC people. Everyone I worked with did so with the dreams of keeping their kids away from the industry.
I paid as much for my degree but didn’t get paid while I learned and had to pay interest on the loans. Now I make bank. Every good thing needs a sacrifice.
@@mrobinson4210People LOVE to bag on college but the hard truth is it’s the quickest and easiest way into a kush high paying job. Personally I did a 2 year degree in GIS now making 88k and work roughly 3 hours a day
I've been a flat-rate tech for 29 years. Went to college first, got a worthless degree, then went into the Army and got out looking for a new career path. Thought I would give turning a wrench for a living a try, and started out flat rate on day one. I struggled for the first couple of years, learning as I went. I have only $15,000 in tools and never bought anything from a Truck Tool Pirate. I make just under $200,000 annually and have been with the same company for 23 years. Flate rate isn't for the faint of heart, you have to hustle but it can for sure pay off if you get good service managers that know how to get the workflow going quick and smoothly.
I’m still rocking the same toolbox I purchased in 1999 from the mechanic that was leaving where I started. I paid $900 for the toolbox and a bunch of tools. I certainly have added to that collection, but I only purchased what I needed. Instead of blowing 100K on tools, I purchased a nice piece of property, put up a 1500 square-foot garage, purchased a lift, a craigslist mig welder and some other inexpensive basic tools. After Covid when we had a shut down at work, I decided turning wrenches for other people is foolish and went to work for myself. I work hard in the spring summer and fall, and take it easy in the winter, in fact I’m lounging on the couch right now after throwing some more word in the stove. Going to the Philippines for a month while I have some time and then back to work in the spring. If you do it right, you can enjoy life a little bit.
Exactly how I enjoy my life! Work from April to October and travel or rest the other months. It’s a fine balance of work and play. I’d go mad if I didn’t work at least a little bit.
The best way to make money as an auto tech is to move around every 6 months or so.... always be looking for a better place. I easily make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. It's your fault if you stay where you are underpaid and under appreciate- if you have the skills to back up a high rate of pay- GO GET THAT SHIT.
I work at a Fleet Shop. I made $80k last year and am on pace to beat that this year. Great benefits as well. They pay for my uniforms and boots. Company buys most specialty tools. We even get a small allowance on the Snappy truck. I’ve never done flat rate and couldn’t imagine doing so with the horror stories I hear. Good luck to you, hope I gave you something to consider…
Flat rate needs a really well ran shop with great customers and cars to actually benefit the technician and not just the shop getting free labor. Problem is most shops aren't well ran and a lot of factors outside the technicians control will affect their hours. As you said if your not very experienced flat rate will almost always see you losing a little bit of time on jobs each week. Only way to do it is to start at a good hourly place where you can get a lot of experience doing every kind of job imaginable and then go specialize on a certain car at a dealer for flat rate. Learning while having to worry about rushing everything you do and everyone around you is rushing and doesn't have time to help is a horrible way to learn.
Dealerships on average charge $200/hour or more. The mechanic that actually does the work gets around 10% of the pay. It used to be 50%. The service writers make more money than the mechanics and they don't do anything but talk to customers.
30 yrs turning wrenches for the dealerships, then Covid came and I seen a way out. I now work as a Patient Care Tech along side my wife at the local hospital. 80k a yr job. Still work on our own stuff though, only trust myself to do the work. Good thing is I have an endless supply of surgical gloves to do it with 😂
My best advice spend 10 years at a dealership get all the training you can, and then open your own shop or find a nice independent shop with a great boss treat you good
Honestly man, I started low at a family owned shop with decades of experience around me. I've tried flat rate, yeah it's good money but the stress it carries, to me at least, isn't worth it. Hourly has never done me wrong in the last 12 years of doing this. Got quite a bit of money in my tools and they've more than paid for themselves. Different strokes for different folks, I know.
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
Hi, this gentleman speaks facts, it’s not worth it anymore to be a technician, nobody will pay you what your worth and you pay thousands of dollars in tools plus technical training at a tech school if you go to a tech school!
I make $40 + an hour as a fleet Diesel mechanic. I feel his pain. I bought affordable stuff at first because I couldn't afford. Buy good stuff if you decide to say in the field. 90% of my hand tools are snap-on. Like 40-50k.
@user-yu6yi1zm1w $40/hour is very low for someone with your experience. I make over 2x hourly and I only have 12 years experience. I make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. . . There are great jobs out there. Just have to have the skills and and willingness to put yourself out there.
Do you know how the generation before you and me became mechanics? They Apprenticed on farms repairing and learning how to break down farm equipment - tractors, trucks, jeeps, crawlers, cherry-pickers… whatever was on the farm needed fixing that day that the mechanic needed help with, they learned how to do on the job with manuals and a professional by their side. Tools were provided by the job and the learner started slowly acquiring tools along the way. At some point they ended up working on cars and trucks for the farm. Because everything on the farm is part of the farm equipment! If the team did not know exactly how to fix it, you read a book that broke down the engine with diagrams. This made chasing fixes into an adventure of learning how to be a mechanic. Today is definitely different. I have respect for mechanics and technicians because you have to learn a lot and know a lot - especially if you are not at a one make dealership. Those are good and valuable skills; even if you choose to no longer utilize them.
that’s why i’m going to school for diesel! most jobs are hourly & overtime isn’t always required. 40 a week that’s all i got for ya. the only thing that money cannot buy is time and that’s why your time will always be more valuable than your paycheck.
Depends on where you go. Most shops pay flag hours for their diesel techs. Which can be good once you know exactly what your doing. Then you have roadside service which pays a little better and is a 24/7 gig. My brother inlaw worked at Performce truck in Cleveland,Tx for several years and he eventually quit and went to work for a trucking company as their lead mechanic. He makes $52k a year guaranteed, 2 weeks paid vacation. And they pay him cash under the table for working on their personal stuff
That's how it works at the multi branded industrial diesel shop that I work at. Hourly, no weekends, occasional overtime but not required. Also we only work on the engines. Hydraulic leak, bad chassis harness, bad transmission? NOT MY PROBLEM! LOL
Walked out of Ford as a Senior Master Diesel Tech of 35 years. They started splitting tickets and leaving only the warranty parts of the tickets for me to do, then shop labor rate went up over $100 to $255/hr. No raises for techs, was told that increased labor was to cover raises for advisors and managers. Didn't say a word, came in on Sunday, loaded my tools and never looked back. I now do marine and power generation system repairs and make 3 times what I did at the stealership.
I don't recommend heavy truck mechanic for anyone. I did it for 40 years and my back is shot, now I'm disabled and in pain management. Good money, work is VERY hard.
I left the industry back in 2006 and went offshore to the oil industry. My SnapOn account was paid off 3 years into my oil career where I still am today.
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly or flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools.
@@arthurkineard7356 for my area and current cost of living minimum as a lube tech where no tools are required anything other than that bump to 16-20 plus a commission. With 1.5-3 years experience 30-35 hourly or 26-28 plus a commission or tool stipend. 5-10 years depending on skill level 80-140k salary. But don’t forget work environment and benefits matter nobody wants to work their whole life.
Nobody's buying that much shit in one day man. Master techs are sitting on a lifetime of tools and they're still gonna complain about how much it costs because the concept of BUYING YOUR OWN TOOLS to do work for SOMEONE ELSE is bullshit
Well said you know how I started being a mechanic I bought a $99 husky tool set from home Depot best tool set that I have bought it got me into the mechanic business
For the first few years in the industry, you shouldn’t have 10k worth of tools. Realistically on a week by week basis, you can get away with a $600 roll cart filled with $3000 worth of tools, and be able to do your basics. Fluid exchanges, tire rotations/changes, brakes, steering, suspension, beginner diag. Any new kid walking into the door at my dealer is gonna learn necessities vs wants, and what is truly needed for the job.
You definitely could get away with that, but one of the problems I see is whenever some kid gets fooled by some tool truck and buys some ridiculous box or tools that they just don’t need. I’m 2 years in with a 600$ box and maybe a little bit over 3000. One thing I will say is to pay once and cry once, but that doesn’t mean it has to be snap-on. I have so much tools that I started with that I’ll no longer touch because I bought something of higher quality.
In the 50's and 60's, the working class was in charge. But rich people and technology have put us in the poor house. People want their cars to run and look perfect. But they don't want to pay the people who do the work. I work at a collision repair/body shop and I get paid hourly. I couldn't survive on flat rate. Especially when we have things like Covid and strikes making it nearly impossible to get parts.
I just started out in automotive always worked on cars my whole life cuz never could afford to pay someone to fix my car so I always took it upon myself to do my own repairs then I decided to go to college to get my mopar certificate and 2 year aos degree and If you work you’re ass off and take advice from everyone and constantly learn new things everyday you will be just fine I did a engine 3 months into my program with no one’s help and it never came back then I started to do all the transmissions in any car I got good at them in about a month averaging 4-5 transmissions a week I started to ball out it all depends on the work flow, time management and knowledge then skill. You must be able to understand the game of flat rate the ball is in the corporations hands understand the rules and learn to bend them and think outside the box.
My dad started as a mech at a ford dealer in the late 60’s. Retired as a service director in 2012. I’ve been working on and fixing cars since I was 12, I’m glad he forced me to not be a mechanic and into machining instead.
I went to vocational school for auto repair. I turned wrenches immediately after HS. I did it for one year and then left the trade forever. Your assessment is identical to what I experienced. My hands hurt at the end of every shift. Tools were expensive, and the pay was shit.
Flat rate is how the dealer steals from the customer and the tech. My last few jobs as a mechanic were hourly/salary. It doesn't make sense to pay anybody flat rate or off tips its a scam that only the owners benefit from.
The best way to make money as an auto tech is to move around every 6 months or so.... always be looking for a better place. I easily make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. It's your fault if you stay where you are underpaid and under appreciate- if you have the skills to back up a high rate of pay- GO GET THAT SHIT.
I disagree, I work in a BODYSHOP and the A techs flag about 120hrs a week but are still at the shop 40 physical hours. They bring home nearly 2k-2.5k every week Instead of 700-800
I hear ya. I was a Harley Davidson Tech for almost four years getting paid $10/hr! Oh plus “commission”. Just one time out of all of those paychecks I got over four digits and that was around $1100! And yes I bought Harbor freight too.
@@jesuspalacios5506 well in my case the general manager at the time acted like she owned the place and was penny pinching everything so she’d find a way to put it in her pocket. After she left even the porter(wash guy) was at 15hr. So it all depends man
@@jesuspalacios5506no you will not be getting paid the same amount. Im not sure where you live but I’m entry level and make way more. Just depends where you work.
I grew up with my father being a auto technician, and he told me to never go into the auto world as there will not be much of a future in the auto mechanic world (This being 8 or so years ago). I perused the career of working on RV's. im 25 years old making 30hr + the whole 9 yards. Younger folks take that with a grain of salt, yes I work hard, and value my job, and take care of customers.
My buddy makes 42 an hour but some how only makes about 1000 a week. If i work 45 hours i want to be paid for 45 hours not gaslighted into beliveing i make good money just to be docked for every second i spend without a tool in my hand. Shits ridiculous.
I quit being a mechanic after a week when i found out they paid me minimum wage being there 6 days a week and its from dawn to dusk is a scam. What a load of bullshit..
ive traveled many countries and a lot of auto shops dont even have them general boxes, thats luxury for them, also many shops dont have each employee have their own tools( just basic) seems its a sickness in usa to sell every single mechanic their own set 😂
Went fleet hourly never looked back I loved in auto school where the dealers would come recruiting telling these 18 year olds they would make 100k in 3 years
Well I agree on the point that tool prices have gone up I started early in the late 90's and tools were affordable but now it has gone up extremly the only thing I suggest is the car industry is overated you need to find something in diesel mechanic specialist you can work at the port at the docks or you can work for a private yact company of course you need to get that experince or unless you have family in the Union you can get in by that way but the pay is around 75k to 200k a year by señority in the company yep 200k
Shop charges $75-$150an hour then only pays their techs $15-$20 an hour for flag hours. Shop owners have some additional expenses like insurance and utilities but damn how about bumping that pay up to $25an hour minimum.
My shop starts at 24 per hour I make 36 and have only 2 years experience shop around not every shop is the same. My old shop started me at 20. The crazy high labor rate counteracts me only averaging 30 to 35 hours a week in my opinion. And we get 50 per hour on Saturdays and only work 1 to 2 Saturdays a month sometimes less than that
@@NOLIFENECKBEARD definitely shop around. But everybody needs to cut their teeth somewhere. Sometimes it's necessary to struggle for a little time to get a couple years of experience under your belt so you can grow elsewhere.
I turned a wrench for 20 years got out of the dealer world. Flat rate does suck especially when the slow time of the year comes around. What gets me fired up are the over paid assembly line workers who strike and get raises. The claim skilled labor but come on guys who is more skilled I think is us techs who diagnose and repair engineering, assembly, and part failures on these new high tech vehicles. Come on the technicians should be the first to get the raises, benefits, and better pay plans.
Im on year 2 as a mechanic I make flat rate 36 per hour of labor with a 20 hour guarantee I work 8 to 5 monday to Friday with an hour break. And I work 1 to 2 Saturdays a month from 7:30 to 2 and we get 50 per hour on Saturdays or 60 per hour if u hit 8 hours but u only get those rates on fresh work for Saturdays. I average around 30 to 35 hours a week not counting Saturdays it's an honest living but not for everyone. Also I did go to trade school and my program had job placement part of the reason my rate is so high is due to my training level within the company but we still start guys out at 24 an hour
That is a sucker rate. Sure 35 a book hour is normal. But depending on what work they give you. They know you'll book 30 hours while working 50. When you do the math you are working for 16 dollars an hour!
@@davepalmer9265 I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
Where tf are you working if they start you at $24 an hour? I went to trade school as well and been wrenching on bikes and cars since the age of 9-10. Even with all the Ase certs I acquired they wanted to start me as a line tech for 13.50 an hr 😂 like what the hell
@@rickysanders1695 I'm in the atl area that's why. And yeah my first shop started line techs at 20. I average between 35 to 40 hours of booked time a week and I work 40 hours a week I've talked to other shops around us when I have to go to chrysler classes and shit. And it sounds like everyone hovers around 25 to 30 dollars per hour around here but those shops get more hours rarely does anyone at my shop get over 50 due to our smaller work flow. But imo I'd rather have a slower paced shop and make more per hour than work more hours and get the same check. Just my 2 cents. We have guys leave all the time and then come back after they realize oh shit that other shop made me work more but paid me less so I made the same but dealt with asshole management and more work. Also side note even fucking QUICK LUBE here starts at 24 per hour had I known that when I signed up I woudlve kept my ass out there. We have 2 guys who have been in quick lube for 10 years and it makes sense why move up when u can make 60k per year changing fucking oil. And not dealing with customer states engine stalls every 3rd Saturday of November for 30 seconds and when it rains. And they brought it on on a Wednesday in August and it's sunny and they're waiting.
My old master tech used to make over 80h every week at over $27 a unit( back in 2006) now he’s struggling to get 45h a week at $35 + a unit. He’s also in charge of more for less $. Not worth it I think, I quit the trade and joined the Military, I’m now fully covered, tools played and great family benefits! And I’m still a mechanic! Living the life!
There are shops that pay hourly rates, even salary. You just have to look. The flat rate sucks! Even the best technicians are one broken or stripped out bolt from losing their ass off
I'm an hourly apprentice. Did my first motor swap this past week on a BMW. If I was flat rate, I would probably have left lol. My boss wanted to give me a learning experience and put me on it, but my head was spinning when I was installing the wiring harness again...
Flat rate can work however in the dealership there are too many weak links in the chain to keep you from completing the job. Parts availability, the endless paperwork and procedures for warranty repairs and they can cut the weak time allotted by the warranty administrator. Exc. I had to quit the dealership when the work slowed down and they still required me to be there making minimum wage. No thanks. They gave all the work to the guys that had seniority. I had transferred from California to Texas. In California commissioned employees required to have their own tools are guaranteed twice minimum wage. That way they are incentivized to give you a adequate work load or lay you off. Not here in Texas. If I had it to do over again I would have sold insurance for a living. I enjoy mechanics but generally it's not a good occupation. If you want to do it and have the aptitude go into aviation repair.
Been on flat rate over 20 years and it’s a tough deal starting out. You don’t know enough, you don’t get paid enough, you’re trying to buy tools and learn while you earn. But it can be done, I work for Hendrick automotive at a Toyota dealership and I scratch 6 figures but not by much. They pay my insurance 100 percent for health/dental. If you’re not in it for the long haul do not get into the automotive field. It takes many years to get “good “ at the diagnostic part which is critical on flat rate. Good luck to ya
Go to school for diesel man. I went for automotive and worked for about 2 years not making much. A field service diesel technician job fell into my lap with CAT and it's a night and day difference. Wish I went to school for diesel so I would be more well versed.
I've thought about doing diesel, but my wife is adamant that it will tear my body down and I won't be able to do it as I age. I'm still really conflicted.
@@titanmongoloid8164 The heavy duty guys definitely get torn to shreds. It’s only worth it if you specialize right away and only work on engines. You need to look at medium duty diesel shops or diesel equipment shops that are combined with a feature like hydraulics, power generation, heating and cooling, etc. You have to be building up your portfolio of pictures and projects every week along with your resume. Don’t sleep on it because every new job has new opportunities and a lot more money. A good quote I just found is “Don’t try.” You have to have the passion for it and then you will succeed naturally. Something inside of you wants it with a burning passion.
If you are a good mechanic, look into getting a job doing HVAC controls (DDC). You could make $100-$150k within a couple of years if you are good. Most of the best DDC techs I know have an automotive background.
While I whole heartedly agree that flat rate pay is outdated as hell, I’ve been in this business for 20 years. It has only been the last 3 years I’ve been paid a “fair” wage and it still really isn’t enough. The times are changing, but you can’t just blame the flat rate system. Nobody wants to work anymore. Interviewed a fresh line tech a couple weeks ago. His only questions about the job were “vacation, over time and sick pay” these people want top dollar for stuff my 13 year old daughter would do for free.
What a load of crap. There's 100 techs applying for every position right now. The truth is they're paid half of what any other trade pays while expected to be a jack of ALL trades + investing $80,000 in tools.
As someone starting out. I’ve been just buying what I need and so far doing great. Btw to everyone going into this field an older tech once told me it’s not the toolbox that makes u money it’s the tool. So make sure ur first tool box is overflowing before u buy one
Well maybe if a certain group of people would stop stealing 25% of your paycheck, and inflating the dollar to a point where you can't afford the tools necessary to entire that field there'd be more mechanics.
I don't like being continually robbed of my salary so they can take better care of illegal immigrants than they do citizens, and then pretend to be the worlds super hero. But if that weren't the case it wouldn't make what we do any less dumb compared to pretty much any other trade or career.
I never worked for anybody as a mechanic. I just opened my shop with nothing but theory and books on automotive repair. I used to be an electronic engineer so specialize in hybrid and electric cars.
Flat rate is corporate greed. These dealerships are making a killing on our blood and sweat. We techs should be getting at least 25% of the going labor rate they charge customers. I’ve been in the dealership business for over 38 years as a shop foreman. Let me tell you. I’ve seen it all. I feel so bad for these young guys that are trying to come into our field. They give them a month to work alongside and master technician to get a little bit of experience and then they throw them out to the wolves then expect these young kids to make their time, and if they don’t, they get fired meanwhile they’re in debt for school and the tools that they have bought that they need for work. The hourly wage is low in the north east in the New York area. It’s pretty pathetic when you can go to a Starbucks coffee shop and make over $22-$23 an hour where starting training technician gets minimum wage of 1750 an hour, are you fucking kidding me and then the older guys like me who been around so many years end there’s no movement except certain places you get to become a manager or something but then they let you go when you become a manager cause managers don’t last long and no one last long in these dealerships. The problem with dealership techs is there is no unity. You have electricians and plumbers that are making more than we do. Meanwhile, dealership technicians or Texan General. Our plumbers are electricians are body people and technicians all combined together and make less money than they do. I don’t get it until this kicks it up and pays the proper amount with proper sharing of benefits and profit sharing with bonuses. We’re not going anywhere. We’ll still be considered grease monkeys, don’t get me wrong text out there makes some good money. There’s some dealerships that do the right thing but it’s a rare rare case nowadays it’s running out the mom and pops Store are going bye-bye and now the corporate dealerships are coming in and they cutting everyone’s throats for their corporate greed so until they take care of us, nothing is going to change.
3 years in, about $13k worth of tools but I love it. I make 60+ hours a week, occasionally 70/80 hours. Paychecks are pretty heft. Just depends where you choose to work and how much effort you put in to learn and make money
If it makes you feel any better, I'm in landscaping and $10k is less than one good commercial mower. Truck, trailer, mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, aerator, hand tools, insurance, payroll, and gas out the ass. There's a give and take and a cost of entry in every field.
I did 8 years, got all certs, have a snap on box with maybe $15k-$20k worth of tools in it… left the industry to work for a government defense contractor and make the same money already in year 1 while working less hours. Automotive repair field is horrible.
Don’t work on cars. 13 years working on equipment, mobile in the field, making good money hourly and zero tool debt. The problem is people don’t know how to not spend their money on tools then blame everyone when they have no money. You don’t need 10s of thousands to get into the business.
10k is nothing to start a business. I would need a 500k loan from a bank to start a business while you could wrench in your driveway. 1 year working minimum wage at moms house could save up for that if you aren't blowing money on bs
That only happens if you get the wrong 😑 degree. Plus, scholarships, grants, community college. Work pays for school. I know a ton of people that didn’t pay for college. You just can’t afford to have 2.0 gpa in high school. Student debt is the biggest issue for people that fail out of college
You can make 100k here in California. Independent shops are paying 50.00 a hour plus. Dont buy tools you dont need guys, like a 10 to 15k tool box. A good shop will buy all the specialty tools.
10k is obscene to get started, I have less than 1k in tools and make good money on flat rate. People put too much emphasis on tools, you can fix 85% of a car with a metric socket set, a crescent wrench and a big hammer. Tools don't make the mechanic, it's a knowledge job.
Yeah I wanted to be a tec at a dealership so bad but flat rate and mandatory weekends yeah F that I hope the mechanic jobs fall out so they can reconstruct the pay methods then I'll leave my job and be a tec.
Yes hopefully companies will pay more at some point; the amount of technology and tools required for these newer cars are just obnoxious at this point. Im an auto glass tech, i worked really hard to get to where im at. Im making 75k or so salary and another 15k in bonuses. We need people desperately, im 29 but these newer guys (most not all even the older guys) completely suck ass at the job/hacks.
Its all about hourly pay now. Thats the only way to keep you sane. Smaller mom and pop shops. Pick electronics, learn good troubleshooting skills, i make good money. Because 8 out of ten ppl in this industry dont understand electronic basics. I can take my time diag the car correctly and have very little comebacks. It incentivies the tech to do better.
On the flip side, the shop foreman/senior technician at the shop I just left makes easily over 150k/year. Yeah, he's got a lot invested in tools. And yeah, he's been doing this a long time, but I've known a few guys that pulled those kinds of numbers every year and with more like 10-15 years experience. These tools are physical. A degree and college education is a big investment too, and I would argue that these are tools metaphorically. Get your degree and it will still be a matter of time before you make big money, if you ever do. Hustle at whatever you do and with a little luck, you can do what you love and make good money doing it.
I've made the most as a tech working at Firestone where they sell maintenance such as flushes, tune ups, brakes, alignments and a/c. The years that I did engine swaps and oil changes were always my worst. I only like working on hot rods at this point but it's still more fun than roofing or being a concrete guy etc.
When I used to work flat rate the dealership I was at started a kid right out of tech school 12 hour flat rate. He asked me how am I supposed to make money. I told him give it a year or 2 tools are to expensive and low pay. Same guy ended up becoming a service writer at the dealership I was at would throw good work my way. He said I was the only person to be honest with him about how being a mechanic is. 8 years later we are still friends
The good auto techs have my respect for the work they do. I'm a truck driver and heavy truck mechanics have left our shop to drive truck for a living. Some had around $30k in tools and make the same money driving as they did wrenching
Total agree am from the uk an I was a master tech for Nissan a the pay was crap.. so I left a did wind turbines a make 2x was I earning a work less hours, and had no experience, the motor trade is failing tech
I use mostly Snap-On with Matco air and I haven’t had an issue. Never owed anyone anything except when I bought a box but I paid it off in less than a month. Just learn to save. But if your going into the industry. Only work on what you can afford to work on. If you can’t afford to buy tools for suspension then don’t do suspension yet
At the ford dealership I work at we have hourly pay+ bonus incentives for completing work early if we don’t complete early we just get our hourly based on experience essentially
Land a fleet job brother flat rate makes you cheep “ half ass” Retail shop makes you hurry “make mistake” Front yard doesn’t pay bills and nobody wants to pay you. I have been doing this for … shit since 1988 . Find a fleet job
I started as a tire tech with about $800 of tools and quickly kept getting other jobs for me to do which meant i was slowly buying more tools to get the jobs done. Where i first started i was given a $500 budget to get started and paid by the hour. If it wasnt for that first place i wouldnt have been able to make it. Being flat rate at times does suck but once you get the hang of it and can race the book hours you got a lot of potential to make money if the work is there. That can also be a problem. Some days/weeks the work isn't really there and you end up with small jobs or worse nothing at all.
Self taught tractor/skid steer/excavator/lawnmower/gas/diesel tech yeah i have a shit ton in tools but i get hourly with overtime but that must suck man. I get paid well but i bust my ass and get very dirty but i love what i do.
Flat rate is horrible and the entry cost is EXTREMELY high but its a great trade to learn for the money you will save in the future from working on your own vehicles and doing side work at home.
Turn your brain on and try to think about any career but your own. Just pick any career, seriously. How much does a college degree cost? What if you wanted to cut hair? You need to go to school for that even. Automotive is extremely unique in that they will take you off the street with zero credentials whatsoever. You technically need to lay out nothing to get hired.
I understand why pay by the job sucks but then you get the techs that take 57 hours on a 16 hour job because they are paid hourly. Once you try to explain to them that it shouldnt take 57 hours and it needs to be done faster they just say they dont care and are paid the same either way.
And that's exactly why I got out of it when I had the chance and jumped into HVAC/R. I love turning wrenches on cars as opposed to on air conditioners, and I do miss it every now and then but a real trade with a stable income is what paid off my truck and bought me a house. Now I only wrench on cars as a hobby or as a side hustle.
15-20 years ago you had to be at your stall , even if no work was there, and now most work is "failure to engineer new ideas correctly" not part wear out.
I’ve been working in auto body for 38 years, I still enjoy it, I like buying tools too. Learn to like what you do and life becomes a little easier, and never work commission/flat rate.
Don’t become an auto technician….constantly being asked to do favors for service advisors, service manager. I carried the risk if something didn’t work and spent a lot of time doing free warranty work too. It’s a pay trap
Here as a contractors perspective, it took me 5 years to finally have enough tools to be comfortable actually starting my business, the icing on the cake for me to start my business was paying cash for a new enclosed trailer.. Ahh trade requires that initial investment. Some less then others
You’re exactly right man ….The flat rate system is criminal and will eventually be exposed . All you can do is work for Yourself !! Hang in there and never forget your worth . Even tho it doesn’t pay well DO it correctly anyways . Keep your dignity and always do the customer right . Maybe start your own mobile service unit . I hope you make a million buddy
10K in tools is 100k in Snap On if not more. Flat rate does suck sometimes but there's just as many pros and cons for every argument in the automotive world. I earned more doing machine & equipment repairs than automotive Even small engine. Boat repairs pay more than automotive in certain areas
@@JMCDetailing mechanic.. on 1988 200.00 per day was like making 1100.00 today... But the money never grew as the cars advanced. Thus, the money is crap... Not worth being a mechanic or as young people are programmed to think, auto technician!
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
Having been in the Auto industry on and off for the last 22 years and being a mobile tech with friends in the medical field, I would say the medical similarity to the ever-changing auto industry would be how everyone's body responds differently to treatments. Also new discoveries with both cures and diseases are happening all the time so there's always something new to learn if you're trying to keep up on everything and that goes for both fields.
Yup and the funny thing is the dealerships and garages couldn’t function without techs but they treat them like shit. Don’t even get me started on warranty pay
Luckily I have a boss that has so many tools that he lets me use his as I am buying my own slowly. Oh my god I can’t imagine buying all my tools upfront or in a short time period I am so grateful for what I have 🙏
Even old tech me with some money. I got back into wrenching. Still have my old suite of snap-on and I just about had a heart attack at snap-on tool prices today.
Harbor Freight it is!😂
Why is snap-on over priced #tools #mechaniclife #mechanic #carmechanic
This is why I switched to construction
I bought a SnapOn box 42 years ago, and now I’ve got three tools that are broken that I need replaced. So I keep them in my truck console in hopes I come across a SnapOn truck.
@@JMCDetailingBecause they can. They have a captive audience and financing.
Icon stuff from harber freight has worked well for me.
Haha, I have an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology, 12 years experience, and $50k in tools, and I don't even work in the field anymore. I hear your pain brother!
bro how much you earn monthly after tax
@@dangerboy1111 haha, never earned enough, ended up spending $80k on a bachelor degree and ended up working in law enforcement... How things change
@@davidweimer3556Dammit man Ive been thinking of applying 😂
@@davidweimer3556just don't shoot anybody unarmed then u will cost us tax payers millions
Same here I did better when I got my cdl and started driving trucks
I'm 28, 40k worth of tools, 10yrs in the field and an associates degree in automotive tech and I hate it I enjoyed it working on my own cars and when I first started off it felt good being the person that "saves the day" and the satisfaction from a hard day's work doesn't put food in my or my cat's stomach, doesn't pay my taxes and doesn't put gas in my car the auto industry as a whole just fucks you and pays you like a cheap whore best line that sums up the auto industry "boss makes a thousand I make a buck that's why I cut the cats from the company truck"
Good line 😂
😂😂😂
Mobile mechanic
So what you’re saying is I need to fk myself for 5 years and then start my own business
@@Mike-we3rb get your head out of the gutter
The Fair Labor Act needs a 21st century update.
Nah, dude chose the field of his own free will knowing the terms. Trade off must be good enough for him.
@@TheCarpenterUnionsome of us just fell into it and got good, now we’re stuck. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to get into this field.
@TheCarpenterUnion mechanics should form a union and go on strike, the working conditions would change pretty much immediately
It's that way with a lot of entries to a skilled labor job. I started my own lawn business and went the cheapest route I could. And I'm right there with you for entry cost. Thankfully for me so far 9.9 out of 10 people pay what I ask. And even better there's a few who value what I do so much they give extra. Best of luck to you bro. Maybe try being a mobile mechanic. build up a regular base for maintenance work and obviously get those big money jobs as you can and want.
Learn to code bro
Same experience. I have easily over 100k in tools and did it for 12 years. Much better opportunities for way more money. Mechanics get treated like trash. Burns scratches and scars up and down the arms and never go a day with clean fingernails. Hvac license, electrical, plumber. And get paid half of what they make. Having to pay 200 a week health insurance, and have a bad reputation from customers always thinking everyone is trying to rip them off. We should all quit, and no one fix their cars.
If you have over 100K in tools for just auto repair, you're a fool.
@@isaackvasager9957 I still use them. Sometimes I do side jobs and I have track car. 100k isn't that hard to do, i have plenty of crossover dewalt milwaukee carpentry ect. jelousy doesn't get you anywhere.
A lot of mechanics have $100,000 in tools I’ve seen guys buy these toolboxes of the trucks costing $35,000
@@isaackvasager9957you obviously don’t work in the industry and know how expensive tools are
I love when you go way beyond what a customer is paying for and they still give you the side eye when paying the bill 🤦♂️
I've got an estimated $50,000 (probably double that to replace them all today) sitting in my home garage since retiring at 59 last March. How many other professions are there that require that large of investment? Add in average tech pay, the daily stress, the phyical (and mental) damage done to the body. A tech has to be an electrician, electronics/computer system expert, machinist, a engine and drivetrain expert, diagnostics whiz, etc. Also the way vehicles are designed an engineered to be almost impossible to repair and it's no wonder there's a tech shortage. It's made even worse by dealerships and indy shops that pay flat-rape with ridiculously low labor times, ESPECIALLY new car warranty. In ten years, who's going to maintain and repair vehicles???? I was lucky to work at a great shop, with an awesome boss and the paid
hourly with OT after 40 hrs, and they stress QUALITY over quantity. For me it was the vehicles that made me decide to retire. When you have to take the front doors off on a 2017 Ford Fusion to change the heater core, it's time to be done with it. BTW, retirement is awesome!
College?
The HVAC industry is right there with you. A good tech will have $20k easily and get paid hourly while they charge flat rate. You do 3 hours of work in an hour, they pay you for the hour, collect the fee for 3. That is a big part why you dont see many 2nd and 3rd generation AC people. Everyone I worked with did so with the dreams of keeping their kids away from the industry.
I paid as much for my degree but didn’t get paid while I learned and had to pay interest on the loans. Now I make bank.
Every good thing needs a sacrifice.
@@mrobinson4210People LOVE to bag on college but the hard truth is it’s the quickest and easiest way into a kush high paying job. Personally I did a 2 year degree in GIS now making 88k and work roughly 3 hours a day
I've been a flat-rate tech for 29 years. Went to college first, got a worthless degree, then went into the Army and got out looking for a new career path. Thought I would give turning a wrench for a living a try, and started out flat rate on day one. I struggled for the first couple of years, learning as I went. I have only $15,000 in tools and never bought anything from a Truck Tool Pirate. I make just under $200,000 annually and have been with the same company for 23 years. Flate rate isn't for the faint of heart, you have to hustle but it can for sure pay off if you get good service managers that know how to get the workflow going quick and smoothly.
Congratulations on your success sir! Not too many positive people on the industry
I’m still rocking the same toolbox I purchased in 1999 from the mechanic that was leaving where I started. I paid $900 for the toolbox and a bunch of tools. I certainly have added to that collection, but I only purchased what I needed. Instead of blowing 100K on tools, I purchased a nice piece of property, put up a 1500 square-foot garage, purchased a lift, a craigslist mig welder and some other inexpensive basic tools. After Covid when we had a shut down at work, I decided turning wrenches for other people is foolish and went to work for myself. I work hard in the spring summer and fall, and take it easy in the winter, in fact I’m lounging on the couch right now after throwing some more word in the stove. Going to the Philippines for a month while I have some time and then back to work in the spring. If you do it right, you can enjoy life a little bit.
Exactly how I enjoy my life! Work from April to October and travel or rest the other months. It’s a fine balance of work and play. I’d go mad if I didn’t work at least a little bit.
This sounds like what i need to be doing honestly. Good on you man you must be proud of that. I want exactly that.
Congrats brother sounds like your a wise Brodie 👍🏻 keep it up
The best way to make money as an auto tech is to move around every 6 months or so.... always be looking for a better place. I easily make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. It's your fault if you stay where you are underpaid and under appreciate- if you have the skills to back up a high rate of pay- GO GET THAT SHIT.
You need to ask the age old question. Do you work to buy tools or buy tools to work! I can’t talk as I am the worlds worse😂
I work at a Fleet Shop. I made $80k last year and am on pace to beat that this year. Great benefits as well. They pay for my uniforms and boots. Company buys most specialty tools. We even get a small allowance on the Snappy truck. I’ve never done flat rate and couldn’t imagine doing so with the horror stories I hear. Good luck to you, hope I gave you something to consider…
Flat rate needs a really well ran shop with great customers and cars to actually benefit the technician and not just the shop getting free labor. Problem is most shops aren't well ran and a lot of factors outside the technicians control will affect their hours. As you said if your not very experienced flat rate will almost always see you losing a little bit of time on jobs each week. Only way to do it is to start at a good hourly place where you can get a lot of experience doing every kind of job imaginable and then go specialize on a certain car at a dealer for flat rate. Learning while having to worry about rushing everything you do and everyone around you is rushing and doesn't have time to help is a horrible way to learn.
And dealership charges 130+per hour but in reality their techs make at most probably 25 per hr and has to furnish all the tools.
Dealerships on average charge $200/hour or more. The mechanic that actually does the work gets around 10% of the pay. It used to be 50%. The service writers make more money than the mechanics and they don't do anything but talk to customers.
@@COBRO98 Service writers are sales people. Sales people always make more money if they can hustle.
I wrench at a small shop in Northern California, our Labor rate is $189.99
30 yrs turning wrenches for the dealerships, then Covid came and I seen a way out. I now work as a Patient Care Tech along side my wife at the local hospital. 80k a yr job. Still work on our own stuff though, only trust myself to do the work. Good thing is I have an endless supply of surgical gloves to do it with 😂
No offense intended towards you (nor your wife), but it’s INSANE if a patient care tech makes $80k. No wonder medical costs are out of control.
@@timgads1712
That's combined, we both clear 40k a year. And we work in a Transplant ICU
@user-yu6yi1zm1w
What's so funny???😂
@user-yu6yi1zm1w
Well it's the truth 🤣
My best advice spend 10 years at a dealership get all the training you can, and then open your own shop or find a nice independent shop with a great boss treat you good
Honestly man, I started low at a family owned shop with decades of experience around me. I've tried flat rate, yeah it's good money but the stress it carries, to me at least, isn't worth it. Hourly has never done me wrong in the last 12 years of doing this. Got quite a bit of money in my tools and they've more than paid for themselves. Different strokes for different folks, I know.
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
@@arthurkineard7356most dealerships give you a yearly budget to spend on tools $300-$500
Hi, this gentleman speaks facts, it’s not worth it anymore to be a technician, nobody will pay you what your worth and you pay thousands of dollars in tools plus technical training at a tech school if you go to a tech school!
New techs aren't worth much. Seasoned techs that are proficient are worth a lot.
@@Carlitosway211every seasoned tech was a new guy once
@@vthegoose And? Guess what! They weren't worth the same when they were the new guy. So what exactly is your point?
2k a week is easy being a tech
Go into aircraft maintenance starting at around $38 or hr
Yessir, flight benefits and all... just stay away from GA.
Man what company do you work for all the ones I see are trying to hire people at 22 hr and you can't live off that shit
Don’t tell them
I make $40 + an hour as a fleet Diesel mechanic. I feel his pain. I bought affordable stuff at first because I couldn't afford. Buy good stuff if you decide to say in the field. 90% of my hand tools are snap-on. Like 40-50k.
@user-yu6yi1zm1w $40/hour is very low for someone with your experience. I make over 2x hourly and I only have 12 years experience. I make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. . . There are great jobs out there. Just have to have the skills and and willingness to put yourself out there.
Do you know how the generation before you and me became mechanics? They Apprenticed on farms repairing and learning how to break down farm equipment - tractors, trucks, jeeps, crawlers, cherry-pickers… whatever was on the farm needed fixing that day that the mechanic needed help with, they learned how to do on the job with manuals and a professional by their side. Tools were provided by the job and the learner started slowly acquiring tools along the way.
At some point they ended up working on cars and trucks for the farm. Because everything on the farm is part of the farm equipment! If the team did not know exactly how to fix it, you read a book that broke down the engine with diagrams. This made chasing fixes into an adventure of learning how to be a mechanic.
Today is definitely different. I have respect for mechanics and technicians because you have to learn a lot and know a lot - especially if you are not at a one make dealership. Those are good and valuable skills; even if you choose to no longer utilize them.
that’s why i’m going to school for diesel! most jobs are hourly & overtime isn’t always required. 40 a week that’s all i got for ya. the only thing that money cannot buy is time and that’s why your time will always be more valuable than your paycheck.
Depends on where you go. Most shops pay flag hours for their diesel techs. Which can be good once you know exactly what your doing.
Then you have roadside service which pays a little better and is a 24/7 gig.
My brother inlaw worked at Performce truck in Cleveland,Tx for several years and he eventually quit and went to work for a trucking company as their lead mechanic. He makes $52k a year guaranteed, 2 weeks paid vacation. And they pay him cash under the table for working on their personal stuff
That's how it works at the multi branded industrial diesel shop that I work at. Hourly, no weekends, occasional overtime but not required. Also we only work on the engines. Hydraulic leak, bad chassis harness, bad transmission? NOT MY PROBLEM! LOL
Walked out of Ford as a Senior Master Diesel Tech of 35 years. They started splitting tickets and leaving only the warranty parts of the tickets for me to do, then shop labor rate went up over $100 to $255/hr. No raises for techs, was told that increased labor was to cover raises for advisors and managers. Didn't say a word, came in on Sunday, loaded my tools and never looked back. I now do marine and power generation system repairs and make 3 times what I did at the stealership.
@@Truckerdaddythat sounds terrible
I don't recommend heavy truck mechanic for anyone. I did it for 40 years and my back is shot, now I'm disabled and in pain management. Good money, work is VERY hard.
I work at a Subaru dealer there is at least 3 maybe 4 flat rate techs making more to double what their manager is making
Lol that's normal I've just went flat rate and now make more than my boss😅
@@davedorsetteso yall still make money
I know someone who’s still paying off their snap on tools and don’t work as a mechanic anymore.
I left the industry back in 2006 and went offshore to the oil industry.
My SnapOn account was paid off 3 years into my oil career where I still am today.
Damn right i’m 70k into tools and still barely making $
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly or flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools.
@@arthurkineard7356 for my area and current cost of living minimum as a lube tech where no tools are required anything other than that bump to 16-20 plus a commission. With 1.5-3 years experience 30-35 hourly or 26-28 plus a commission or tool stipend. 5-10 years depending on skill level 80-140k salary. But don’t forget work environment and benefits matter nobody wants to work their whole life.
Don't buy 10k in tools before you make a buck. Buy them as you need them. Accumulate tools.
Nobody's buying that much shit in one day man. Master techs are sitting on a lifetime of tools and they're still gonna complain about how much it costs because the concept of BUYING YOUR OWN TOOLS to do work for SOMEONE ELSE is bullshit
Well said you know how I started being a mechanic I bought a $99 husky tool set from home Depot best tool set that I have bought it got me into the mechanic business
For the first few years in the industry, you shouldn’t have 10k worth of tools. Realistically on a week by week basis, you can get away with a $600 roll cart filled with $3000 worth of tools, and be able to do your basics. Fluid exchanges, tire rotations/changes, brakes, steering, suspension, beginner diag. Any new kid walking into the door at my dealer is gonna learn necessities vs wants, and what is truly needed for the job.
You definitely could get away with that, but one of the problems I see is whenever some kid gets fooled by some tool truck and buys some ridiculous box or tools that they just don’t need. I’m 2 years in with a 600$ box and maybe a little bit over 3000. One thing I will say is to pay once and cry once, but that doesn’t mean it has to be snap-on. I have so much tools that I started with that I’ll no longer touch because I bought something of higher quality.
@@williamsanders468 No one should step on a tool truck in a world where Harbor Freight exists.
In the 50's and 60's, the working class was in charge. But rich people and technology have put us in the poor house. People want their cars to run and look perfect. But they don't want to pay the people who do the work. I work at a collision repair/body shop and I get paid hourly. I couldn't survive on flat rate. Especially when we have things like Covid and strikes making it nearly impossible to get parts.
Boomers amiright
I just started out in automotive always worked on cars my whole life cuz never could afford to pay someone to fix my car so I always took it upon myself to do my own repairs then I decided to go to college to get my mopar certificate and 2 year aos degree and If you work you’re ass off and take advice from everyone and constantly learn new things everyday you will be just fine I did a engine 3 months into my program with no one’s help and it never came back then I started to do all the transmissions in any car I got good at them in about a month averaging 4-5 transmissions a week I started to ball out it all depends on the work flow, time management and knowledge then skill. You must be able to understand the game of flat rate the ball is in the corporations hands understand the rules and learn to bend them and think outside the box.
My dad started as a mech at a ford dealer in the late 60’s. Retired as a service director in 2012. I’ve been working on and fixing cars since I was 12, I’m glad he forced me to not be a mechanic and into machining instead.
I went to vocational school for auto repair. I turned wrenches immediately after HS. I did it for one year and then left the trade forever. Your assessment is identical to what I experienced. My hands hurt at the end of every shift. Tools were expensive, and the pay was shit.
Flat rate is how the dealer steals from the customer and the tech. My last few jobs as a mechanic were hourly/salary. It doesn't make sense to pay anybody flat rate or off tips its a scam that only the owners benefit from.
The best way to make money as an auto tech is to move around every 6 months or so.... always be looking for a better place. I easily make 400k a year and I only work 9 months out of the year. It's your fault if you stay where you are underpaid and under appreciate- if you have the skills to back up a high rate of pay- GO GET THAT SHIT.
I disagree, I work in a BODYSHOP and the A techs flag about 120hrs a week but are still at the shop 40 physical hours. They bring home nearly 2k-2.5k every week Instead of 700-800
I hear ya. I was a Harley Davidson Tech for almost four years getting paid $10/hr! Oh plus “commission”. Just one time out of all of those paychecks I got over four digits and that was around $1100! And yes I bought Harbor freight too.
Im making 11 an hour in fast food
@@jesuspalacios5506 sweet…more power to you 👍🏽
@ocho27hd should I even go into the auto industry though if I'm gonna be getting paid almost the same amount?
@@jesuspalacios5506 well in my case the general manager at the time acted like she owned the place and was penny pinching everything so she’d find a way to put it in her pocket. After she left even the porter(wash guy) was at 15hr. So it all depends man
@@jesuspalacios5506no you will not be getting paid the same amount. Im not sure where you live but I’m entry level and make way more. Just depends where you work.
I grew up with my father being a auto technician, and he told me to never go into the auto world as there will not be much of a future in the auto mechanic world (This being 8 or so years ago). I perused the career of working on RV's. im 25 years old making 30hr + the whole 9 yards. Younger folks take that with a grain of salt, yes I work hard, and value my job, and take care of customers.
My buddy makes 42 an hour but some how only makes about 1000 a week. If i work 45 hours i want to be paid for 45 hours not gaslighted into beliveing i make good money just to be docked for every second i spend without a tool in my hand. Shits ridiculous.
I quit being a mechanic after a week when i found out they paid me minimum wage being there 6 days a week and its from dawn to dusk is a scam. What a load of bullshit..
ive traveled many countries and a lot of auto shops dont even have them general boxes, thats luxury for them, also many shops dont have each employee have their own tools( just basic) seems its a sickness in usa to sell every single mechanic their own set 😂
Because America is a neverending scam
Went fleet hourly never looked back
I loved in auto school where the dealers would come recruiting telling these 18 year olds they would make 100k in 3 years
Bruh i got 10 grand in tools I'm not even a mechanic 😂
Bro a lube tech
Lol got about 5k in tools for personal use.
I've probably got at least $20,000 more than when I did work as a mechanic. And I'm retired.
I wish I had only $10k in tools (and I only work on my own stuff) 😂
Well I agree on the point that tool prices have gone up I started early in the late 90's and tools were affordable but now it has gone up extremly the only thing I suggest is the car industry is overated you need to find something in diesel mechanic specialist you can work at the port at the docks or you can work for a private yact company of course you need to get that experince or unless you have family in the Union you can get in by that way but the pay is around 75k to 200k a year by señority in the company yep 200k
Shop charges $75-$150an hour then only pays their techs $15-$20 an hour for flag hours.
Shop owners have some additional expenses like insurance and utilities but damn how about bumping that pay up to $25an hour minimum.
Yes! And they expect you to buy all the tools
@@JMCDetailing I had a former coworker try and tell me that shops also pay tool hours and I told him he was full of shit.
My shop starts at 24 per hour I make 36 and have only 2 years experience shop around not every shop is the same. My old shop started me at 20. The crazy high labor rate counteracts me only averaging 30 to 35 hours a week in my opinion. And we get 50 per hour on Saturdays and only work 1 to 2 Saturdays a month sometimes less than that
@@NOLIFENECKBEARD definitely shop around. But everybody needs to cut their teeth somewhere. Sometimes it's necessary to struggle for a little time to get a couple years of experience under your belt so you can grow elsewhere.
Just stay away from bullshit dealerships
I turned a wrench for 20 years got out of the dealer world. Flat rate does suck especially when the slow time of the year comes around. What gets me fired up are the over paid assembly line workers who strike and get raises. The claim skilled labor but come on guys who is more skilled I think is us techs who diagnose and repair engineering, assembly, and part failures on these new high tech vehicles. Come on the technicians should be the first to get the raises, benefits, and better pay plans.
Im on year 2 as a mechanic I make flat rate 36 per hour of labor with a 20 hour guarantee I work 8 to 5 monday to Friday with an hour break. And I work 1 to 2 Saturdays a month from 7:30 to 2 and we get 50 per hour on Saturdays or 60 per hour if u hit 8 hours but u only get those rates on fresh work for Saturdays. I average around 30 to 35 hours a week not counting Saturdays it's an honest living but not for everyone. Also I did go to trade school and my program had job placement part of the reason my rate is so high is due to my training level within the company but we still start guys out at 24 an hour
That is a sucker rate. Sure 35 a book hour is normal. But depending on what work they give you. They know you'll book 30 hours while working 50. When you do the math you are working for 16 dollars an hour!
@@davepalmer9265lots of industries labor is only 15% of gross revenues. Sounds like the same percentage. Have to ask about the benefits then
@@davepalmer9265 I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
Where tf are you working if they start you at $24 an hour? I went to trade school as well and been wrenching on bikes and cars since the age of 9-10. Even with all the Ase certs I acquired they wanted to start me as a line tech for 13.50 an hr 😂 like what the hell
@@rickysanders1695 I'm in the atl area that's why. And yeah my first shop started line techs at 20. I average between 35 to 40 hours of booked time a week and I work 40 hours a week I've talked to other shops around us when I have to go to chrysler classes and shit. And it sounds like everyone hovers around 25 to 30 dollars per hour around here but those shops get more hours rarely does anyone at my shop get over 50 due to our smaller work flow. But imo I'd rather have a slower paced shop and make more per hour than work more hours and get the same check. Just my 2 cents. We have guys leave all the time and then come back after they realize oh shit that other shop made me work more but paid me less so I made the same but dealt with asshole management and more work. Also side note even fucking QUICK LUBE here starts at 24 per hour had I known that when I signed up I woudlve kept my ass out there. We have 2 guys who have been in quick lube for 10 years and it makes sense why move up when u can make 60k per year changing fucking oil. And not dealing with customer states engine stalls every 3rd Saturday of November for 30 seconds and when it rains. And they brought it on on a Wednesday in August and it's sunny and they're waiting.
My old master tech used to make over 80h every week at over $27 a unit( back in 2006) now he’s struggling to get 45h a week at $35 + a unit. He’s also in charge of more for less $. Not worth it I think, I quit the trade and joined the Military, I’m now fully covered, tools played and great family benefits! And I’m still a mechanic! Living the life!
There are shops that pay hourly rates, even salary. You just have to look. The flat rate sucks! Even the best technicians are one broken or stripped out bolt from losing their ass off
I'm an hourly apprentice. Did my first motor swap this past week on a BMW. If I was flat rate, I would probably have left lol. My boss wanted to give me a learning experience and put me on it, but my head was spinning when I was installing the wiring harness again...
And school teachers complain because they have to buy construction paper out of pocket.
Every field pays too little this day and age
Flat rate can work however in the dealership there are too many weak links in the chain to keep you from completing the job. Parts availability, the endless paperwork and procedures for warranty repairs and they can cut the weak time allotted by the warranty administrator. Exc. I had to quit the dealership when the work slowed down and they still required me to be there making minimum wage. No thanks. They gave all the work to the guys that had seniority. I had transferred from California to Texas. In California commissioned employees required to have their own tools are guaranteed twice minimum wage. That way they are incentivized to give you a adequate work load or lay you off. Not here in Texas. If I had it to do over again I would have sold insurance for a living. I enjoy mechanics but generally it's not a good occupation. If you want to do it and have the aptitude go into aviation repair.
Been on flat rate over 20 years and it’s a tough deal starting out. You don’t know enough, you don’t get paid enough, you’re trying to buy tools and learn while you earn. But it can be done, I work for Hendrick automotive at a Toyota dealership and I scratch 6 figures but not by much. They pay my insurance 100 percent for health/dental. If you’re not in it for the long haul do not get into the automotive field. It takes many years to get “good “ at the diagnostic part which is critical on flat rate. Good luck to ya
Go to school for diesel man. I went for automotive and worked for about 2 years not making much. A field service diesel technician job fell into my lap with CAT and it's a night and day difference. Wish I went to school for diesel so I would be more well versed.
I've thought about doing diesel, but my wife is adamant that it will tear my body down and I won't be able to do it as I age. I'm still really conflicted.
@@titanmongoloid8164 The heavy duty guys definitely get torn to shreds. It’s only worth it if you specialize right away and only work on engines. You need to look at medium duty diesel shops or diesel equipment shops that are combined with a feature like hydraulics, power generation, heating and cooling, etc. You have to be building up your portfolio of pictures and projects every week along with your resume. Don’t sleep on it because every new job has new opportunities and a lot more money. A good quote I just found is “Don’t try.” You have to have the passion for it and then you will succeed naturally. Something inside of you wants it with a burning passion.
If you are a good mechanic, look into getting a job doing HVAC controls (DDC). You could make $100-$150k within a couple of years if you are good. Most of the best DDC techs I know have an automotive background.
While I whole heartedly agree that flat rate pay is outdated as hell, I’ve been in this business for 20 years. It has only been the last 3 years I’ve been paid a “fair” wage and it still really isn’t enough. The times are changing, but you can’t just blame the flat rate system. Nobody wants to work anymore. Interviewed a fresh line tech a couple weeks ago. His only questions about the job were “vacation, over time and sick pay” these people want top dollar for stuff my 13 year old daughter would do for free.
What a load of crap. There's 100 techs applying for every position right now. The truth is they're paid half of what any other trade pays while expected to be a jack of ALL trades + investing $80,000 in tools.
@@COBRO98 I’m the shop foreman so I interview every tech and oversee them. We have gone through 5 techs in the last year. The tech gene pool is trash
Lmao I make a little over 100,000 a year with working 4 day weeks as a mechanic
Still have all my tools rusting on the basement!
And we have teachers complaining about having to buy their own pencils...
Pencils? No teachers now have to buy most supplies for the classroom on a $13.00 hr 25hr a week salary. Check your facts before spouting off.
Most supplies? Paper? Glue? Maybe glitter? You have no idea what these tools cost.
As someone starting out. I’ve been just buying what I need and so far doing great. Btw to everyone going into this field an older tech once told me it’s not the toolbox that makes u money it’s the tool. So make sure ur first tool box is overflowing before u buy one
I work for Porsche as a technician They just switched us to hourly in January.
I couldn’t believe it at first.
Well maybe if a certain group of people would stop stealing 25% of your paycheck, and inflating the dollar to a point where you can't afford the tools necessary to entire that field there'd be more mechanics.
I don't like being continually robbed of my salary so they can take better care of illegal immigrants than they do citizens, and then pretend to be the worlds super hero. But if that weren't the case it wouldn't make what we do any less dumb compared to pretty much any other trade or career.
I never worked for anybody as a mechanic. I just opened my shop with nothing but theory and books on automotive repair. I used to be an electronic engineer so specialize in hybrid and electric cars.
Flat rate is corporate greed. These dealerships are making a killing on our blood and sweat. We techs should be getting at least 25% of the going labor rate they charge customers. I’ve been in the dealership business for over 38 years as a shop foreman. Let me tell you. I’ve seen it all. I feel so bad for these young guys that are trying to come into our field. They give them a month to work alongside and master technician to get a little bit of experience and then they throw them out to the wolves then expect these young kids to make their time, and if they don’t, they get fired meanwhile they’re in debt for school and the tools that they have bought that they need for work. The hourly wage is low in the north east in the New York area. It’s pretty pathetic when you can go to a Starbucks coffee shop and make over $22-$23 an hour where starting training technician gets minimum wage of 1750 an hour, are you fucking kidding me and then the older guys like me who been around so many years end there’s no movement except certain places you get to become a manager or something but then they let you go when you become a manager cause managers don’t last long and no one last long in these dealerships. The problem with dealership techs is there is no unity. You have electricians and plumbers that are making more than we do. Meanwhile, dealership technicians or Texan General. Our plumbers are electricians are body people and technicians all combined together and make less money than they do. I don’t get it until this kicks it up and pays the proper amount with proper sharing of benefits and profit sharing with bonuses. We’re not going anywhere. We’ll still be considered grease monkeys, don’t get me wrong text out there makes some good money. There’s some dealerships that do the right thing but it’s a rare rare case nowadays it’s running out the mom and pops Store are going bye-bye and now the corporate dealerships are coming in and they cutting everyone’s throats for their corporate greed so until they take care of us, nothing is going to change.
Exactly why I didn’t go into that field, I’ve been wrenching since I was 14 and y’all want me to go broke just to work with you
Automotive Mechanics actually the least paid trade #mechanic #mechaniclife #auto #tools #snapon
3 years in, about $13k worth of tools but I love it. I make 60+ hours a week, occasionally 70/80 hours. Paychecks are pretty heft. Just depends where you choose to work and how much effort you put in to learn and make money
If it makes you feel any better, I'm in landscaping and $10k is less than one good commercial mower. Truck, trailer, mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, aerator, hand tools, insurance, payroll, and gas out the ass. There's a give and take and a cost of entry in every field.
You don’t need to pay for any of that as an employee though. Mechanics do
CDI Torque makes Snap-On Torque Wrenches.
I did 8 years, got all certs, have a snap on box with maybe $15k-$20k worth of tools in it… left the industry to work for a government defense contractor and make the same money already in year 1 while working less hours. Automotive repair field is horrible.
Don’t work on cars. 13 years working on equipment, mobile in the field, making good money hourly and zero tool debt. The problem is people don’t know how to not spend their money on tools then blame everyone when they have no money. You don’t need 10s of thousands to get into the business.
10k is nothing to start a business. I would need a 500k loan from a bank to start a business while you could wrench in your driveway. 1 year working minimum wage at moms house could save up for that if you aren't blowing money on bs
Imagine walking out of any university with 100k in debt and realizing your degree is worthless. I still think you are winning.
That only happens if you get the wrong 😑 degree. Plus, scholarships, grants, community college. Work pays for school. I know a ton of people that didn’t pay for college. You just can’t afford to have 2.0 gpa in high school. Student debt is the biggest issue for people that fail out of college
@@JMCDetailing true true
You can make 100k here in California. Independent shops are paying 50.00 a hour plus. Dont buy tools you dont need guys, like a 10 to 15k tool box. A good shop will buy all the specialty tools.
most people over pay for tools from the tool track just get what tools you need to do your job dont buy tools you don't need
$10k is nothing to get started.
Lube techs don't need 10k worth of tools.
10k is obscene to get started, I have less than 1k in tools and make good money on flat rate. People put too much emphasis on tools, you can fix 85% of a car with a metric socket set, a crescent wrench and a big hammer.
Tools don't make the mechanic, it's a knowledge job.
New techs at my shop start off combined hourly and reduced flag time
My own automatic transmission shop , I get what I ask for
Yeah I wanted to be a tec at a dealership so bad but flat rate and mandatory weekends yeah F that I hope the mechanic jobs fall out so they can reconstruct the pay methods then I'll leave my job and be a tec.
Yes hopefully companies will pay more at some point; the amount of technology and tools required for these newer cars are just obnoxious at this point. Im an auto glass tech, i worked really hard to get to where im at. Im making 75k or so salary and another 15k in bonuses. We need people desperately, im 29 but these newer guys (most not all even the older guys) completely suck ass at the job/hacks.
Its all about hourly pay now. Thats the only way to keep you sane. Smaller mom and pop shops. Pick electronics, learn good troubleshooting skills, i make good money. Because 8 out of ten ppl in this industry dont understand electronic basics. I can take my time diag the car correctly and have very little comebacks. It incentivies the tech to do better.
On the flip side, the shop foreman/senior technician at the shop I just left makes easily over 150k/year. Yeah, he's got a lot invested in tools. And yeah, he's been doing this a long time, but I've known a few guys that pulled those kinds of numbers every year and with more like 10-15 years experience. These tools are physical. A degree and college education is a big investment too, and I would argue that these are tools metaphorically. Get your degree and it will still be a matter of time before you make big money, if you ever do. Hustle at whatever you do and with a little luck, you can do what you love and make good money doing it.
F dealerships, F the automotive repair industry as a whole. Ain’t ever seeing me as a mechanic again!
I've made the most as a tech working at Firestone where they sell maintenance such as flushes, tune ups, brakes, alignments and a/c. The years that I did engine swaps and oil changes were always my worst. I only like working on hot rods at this point but it's still more fun than roofing or being a concrete guy etc.
When I used to work flat rate the dealership I was at started a kid right out of tech school 12 hour flat rate. He asked me how am I supposed to make money. I told him give it a year or 2 tools are to expensive and low pay. Same guy ended up becoming a service writer at the dealership I was at would throw good work my way. He said I was the only person to be honest with him about how being a mechanic is. 8 years later we are still friends
The good auto techs have my respect for the work they do. I'm a truck driver and heavy truck mechanics have left our shop to drive truck for a living. Some had around $30k in tools and make the same money driving as they did wrenching
Total agree am from the uk an I was a master tech for Nissan a the pay was crap.. so I left a did wind turbines a make 2x was I earning a work less hours, and had no experience, the motor trade is failing tech
I use mostly Snap-On with Matco air and I haven’t had an issue. Never owed anyone anything except when I bought a box but I paid it off in less than a month. Just learn to save. But if your going into the industry. Only work on what you can afford to work on. If you can’t afford to buy tools for suspension then don’t do suspension yet
At the ford dealership I work at we have hourly pay+ bonus incentives for completing work early if we don’t complete early we just get our hourly based on experience essentially
can u give me some example,, plz explain more clearly
Land a fleet job brother flat rate makes you cheep “ half ass” Retail shop makes you hurry “make mistake”
Front yard doesn’t pay bills and nobody wants to pay you. I have been doing this for … shit since 1988 . Find a fleet job
I started as a tire tech with about $800 of tools and quickly kept getting other jobs for me to do which meant i was slowly buying more tools to get the jobs done.
Where i first started i was given a $500 budget to get started and paid by the hour.
If it wasnt for that first place i wouldnt have been able to make it.
Being flat rate at times does suck but once you get the hang of it and can race the book hours you got a lot of potential to make money if the work is there.
That can also be a problem. Some days/weeks the work isn't really there and you end up with small jobs or worse nothing at all.
Self taught tractor/skid steer/excavator/lawnmower/gas/diesel tech yeah i have a shit ton in tools but i get hourly with overtime but that must suck man. I get paid well but i bust my ass and get very dirty but i love what i do.
Flat rate is horrible and the entry cost is EXTREMELY high but its a great trade to learn for the money you will save in the future from working on your own vehicles and doing side work at home.
Turn your brain on and try to think about any career but your own. Just pick any career, seriously. How much does a college degree cost? What if you wanted to cut hair? You need to go to school for that even.
Automotive is extremely unique in that they will take you off the street with zero credentials whatsoever. You technically need to lay out nothing to get hired.
I understand why pay by the job sucks but then you get the techs that take 57 hours on a 16 hour job because they are paid hourly. Once you try to explain to them that it shouldnt take 57 hours and it needs to be done faster they just say they dont care and are paid the same either way.
And that's exactly why I got out of it when I had the chance and jumped into HVAC/R. I love turning wrenches on cars as opposed to on air conditioners, and I do miss it every now and then but a real trade with a stable income is what paid off my truck and bought me a house. Now I only wrench on cars as a hobby or as a side hustle.
15-20 years ago you had to be at your stall , even if no work was there, and now most work is "failure to engineer new ideas correctly" not part wear out.
I’ve been working in auto body for 38 years, I still enjoy it, I like buying tools too. Learn to like what you do and life becomes a little easier, and never work commission/flat rate.
Sounds like you got a nice collection bud 👍🏼
Don’t become an auto technician….constantly being asked to do favors for service advisors, service manager. I carried the risk if something didn’t work and spent a lot of time doing free warranty work too. It’s a pay trap
False. Find a good dealer, learn and work hard. I make way more flat rate than I ever could hourly. Flat rate is for hungry techs.
Dealerships suck! Enough said.
@@billcole2131 dealerships aren’t for everyone. I wouldn’t change where I’m at for anything.
Here as a contractors perspective, it took me 5 years to finally have enough tools to be comfortable actually starting my business, the icing on the cake for me to start my business was paying cash for a new enclosed trailer..
Ahh trade requires that initial investment.
Some less then others
I been mechanic 43 years. Started with craftsmen tools and craftsmen box.I didn't get suckered in by snap on. Be smart I never worked flat rate..
You’re exactly right man ….The flat rate system is criminal and will eventually be exposed .
All you can do is work for Yourself !!
Hang in there and never forget your worth . Even tho it doesn’t pay well DO it correctly anyways . Keep your dignity and always do the customer right . Maybe start your own mobile service unit . I hope you make a million buddy
10K in tools is 100k in Snap On if not more. Flat rate does suck sometimes but there's just as many pros and cons for every argument in the automotive world.
I earned more doing machine & equipment repairs than automotive
Even small engine. Boat repairs pay more than automotive in certain areas
when I started back in 1988 and made 200.00 per day.... fast forward to 2023.... making 200.00 per day is good... WTH?
??
@@JMCDetailing mechanic.. on 1988 200.00 per day was like making 1100.00 today... But the money never grew as the cars advanced. Thus, the money is crap... Not worth being a mechanic or as young people are programmed to think, auto technician!
I want to open an auto repair shop. What pay would make you happy? Hourly, flat rate or hybrid. How much do you think you're worth at 1-3 years, 3-10 years and 10 years plus. Do you think the shop should provide you your tools. Obviously they will provide expensive tools. Exclude major metros because they are a bad comparison for smaller markets like Panama City, FL or Dothan, AL.
I've always said " doctors have it easy! Same model year after year!! None of the B.S. we deal with!!!
Having been in the Auto industry on and off for the last 22 years and being a mobile tech with friends in the medical field, I would say the medical similarity to the ever-changing auto industry would be how everyone's body responds differently to treatments.
Also new discoveries with both cures and diseases are happening all the time so there's always something new to learn if you're trying to keep up on everything and that goes for both fields.
Yup and the funny thing is the dealerships and garages couldn’t function without techs but they treat them like shit. Don’t even get me started on warranty pay
Yes! Ya warranty pay is a** 😡
Luckily I have a boss that has so many tools that he lets me use his as I am buying my own slowly. Oh my god I can’t imagine buying all my tools upfront or in a short time period I am so grateful for what I have 🙏