Careers for people who like cars include auto mechanic, diesel technician, collision repair technician, auto painter, service advisor, parts specialist, car salesperson, insurance appraiser, truck driver and automotive engineer. Many start with a certificate, an associate degree or on-the-job training, while engineering takes a bachelor’s. Begin by asking what you love about cars: fixing them, building them, designing them, driving them or talking about them.
Fixing, building, designing or selling
A person who loves diagnosing a strange noise may not enjoy sales, and a person who sketches cars all day may hate turning wrenches. Repair and service work suits people who like hands-on troubleshooting. Custom and collision work suits people with an eye for finish. Engineering and design suit people who like math, physics and drawing. Sales and service advising suit people who like cars and conversation. Many careers blend two of these.
Car careers by training route
On-the-job training
- Lube or tire technician: An entry point in many shops, where you learn safety and basic service before moving up.
- Car salesperson: Dealerships train new hires, and some states require a salesperson license; product knowledge and patience matter most.
- Parts specialist: Finding the right part fast, which builds deep knowledge of systems and brands.
- Truck or delivery driver: For people who love driving itself; our truck driver guide explains the commercial license.
Certificate, associate degree or apprenticeship
- Auto mechanic: A certificate or associate program, then voluntary ASE certifications earned with exams and work experience. How to become an auto mechanic lays out the route.
- Diesel or heavy equipment technician: Trucks, buses and machines, with similar training and often strong demand.
- Collision repair technician or auto painter: Straightening frames, replacing panels and matching paint, learned in a program or on the job.
- EV technician: Electric vehicles bring high-voltage safety training and more electrical diagnosis into the shop.
- Fabricator: Custom and performance builds rely on welding skill, so welding is a natural first trade.
Bachelor’s degree
- Automotive or mechanical engineer: Designing engines, suspensions and drivetrains; the mechanical engineer guide covers the degree and licensing.
- Electrical engineer: Batteries, motors and vehicle electronics increasingly drive the industry (how to become an electrical engineer).
- Vehicle software developer: Modern cars run on code. Read how to become a software developer for the path.
- Automotive designer: Usually an industrial or transportation design degree and a strong sketch and modeling portfolio.
- Service or dealership manager: Running a service department or store, often after years in a shop and some business coursework.
License or specialty credential
- Insurance appraiser or adjuster: Estimating damage after crashes; many states license adjusters and appraisers.
- Electrician for EV charging: Installing chargers is licensed electrical work, so the electrician apprenticeship comes first.
For engineering majors, read what you can do with an engineering degree; if the business side appeals, see a business degree. The college majors guide and our career paths hub cover more, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook lists current pay and outlook.
What is changing in the shop
Cars now carry computers, cameras and sensors, and more are electric or hybrid. That means more diagnosis with software and less pure mechanical repair. Technicians who keep training stay in demand. It also helps to know that many techs buy their own tools over time, which is a real cost early on. Our guides to choosing a trade, starting trade school and getting an apprenticeship help you compare routes.
How to test the fit
- Take an automotive career and technical education class in high school or an evening intro course.
- Do basic maintenance on a family car, with a guide and the right safety gear, and notice whether you want to go deeper.
- Get a part-time job at a shop, parts store or car wash and watch how the work flows.
- Ask techs, painters and engineers in informational interviews what they wish they had known at your age.
- Take our career interest quiz to compare car careers with other hands-on fields.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a student or young adult compare shop, engineering and sales paths, apply to programs and apprenticeships, keep up with certifications, and show up reliably in the first year. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors or licensing experts; they help you plan and follow through. See our career and education mentoring and mentoring for high school students.
Related
- Career path guides
- Careers for people who like working with their hands
- Careers for people who like to build things
- For parents of teens choosing trades
- Careers for people who like science
Common questions
What car jobs do not need a degree?
Auto mechanic, diesel technician, collision repair, auto painter, parts specialist, service advisor and car sales all start with training programs or on-the-job learning.
Do I need ASE certification to be a mechanic?
It is usually voluntary, but many employers prefer it. ASE certifications require passing exams and having relevant work experience.
What should I study to design cars?
Mechanical engineering suits the technical side, while industrial or transportation design suits styling. Both reward strong math, drawing and portfolio work.
Are electric cars changing mechanic jobs?
Yes. Electric and hybrid vehicles need high-voltage safety training and more electrical diagnosis, so ongoing training matters.
Get started
Love cars and want a real plan to work on them? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.