The median annual wage for automotive body and related repairers was $40,970 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,510.
The median annual wage for automotive glass installers and repairers was $33,830 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,080.
The majority of repair shops and auto dealers pay automotive body and glass repairers on an incentive basis. In addition to receiving a guaranteed base salary, employers pay workers a set amount for completing various tasks. Their earnings depend on both the amount of work assigned and how fast they complete it.
Trainees typically earn between 30 percent and 60 percent of experienced workers' pay. They are paid by the hour until they are competent enough to be paid on an incentive basis.
Most automotive body and glass repairers work full time. When shops have to complete a backlog of work, overtime is common. This often includes working evenings and weekends.
Automotive Body and Glass Repairers
Median annual wages, May 2015
Automotive body and related repairers
$40,970
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers
$40,160
Automotive body and glass repairers
$39,880
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Automotive glass installers and repairers
$33,830
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics