Employment of automotive body and glass repairers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.
While the frequency of accidents has declined in recent decades, an increase in the number of vehicles on the road should bolster demand for automotive body and glass repair over the next decade. In some cases, demand may fluctuate throughout the year due to the seasonality of inclement weather in some regions. The need for repair may be greater during the winter months in areas with snow and ice, for example, because these conditions increase the chance of accidents.
The adoption of advanced safety features, such as automatic braking for collision avoidance and more durable automotive glass, may reduce future demand for automotive body and glass repair work, but this technology will take time to become commonplace.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities are projected to be very good for automotive body and glass repairers. The best opportunities in automotive body repair will be available to those with industry certification and formal training in automotive body repair and refinishing, and in collision repair. Those without any training or experience will face strong competition for jobs.
The need to replace experienced automotive body and glass repairers who retire, change occupations, or stop working for other reasons will also provide many job opportunities.
Automotive Body and Glass Repairers
Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24
Automotive body and related repairers
9%
Automotive body and glass repairers
9%
Automotive glass installers and repairers
8%
Total, all occupations
7%
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers
6%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program