Will “Body Mechanic Apprentice” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

91% Chance of Automation

“Body Mechanic Apprentice” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #558 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 49-3021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 45,180.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 21.00
Currently, there are 143,940 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Automotive Body and Related Repairers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Body Mechanic Apprentice”

Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.

Related Technology & Tools

Media blasters
Hoists
Spoon dollies
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Respirators
Universal railroad dollies
High velocity low pressure HVLP spray equipment
Air pressure gauges
Pick hammers
Air chisels
Punches
Pneumatic hammers
Welding hoods
Pop rivet guns
Safety gloves
Pull rods
Hand shears
Portable buffers
Hydraulic cranes
Power sanders
Pneumatic grinders
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Laser printers
Surforms
Heel dollies
Depth gauges
Welding electrodes
Grease guns
Windshield knives
Door skin dollies
Panel cutters
Double-edged cutter tools
Welding goggles
Fluorescent lights
Power punches
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Spray booths
Foot shears
Telescoping gauges
Pressure washers
Machine polishers
Micrometers
Screwdrivers
Blow torches
Air compressors
Rivet busters
Ratchets
Oxyacetylene torches
Double-edged blades
Digital cameras
Resistance spot welding equipment
Grinders
Portable welding machines
Spot weld breakers
Alignment machines
Vernier calipers
Steam cleaning equipment
Cold chisels
Anvils
Body saws
Wedges
Socket sets
Nut drivers
Dent hammers
Power shears
Welding helmets
Weld current controllers
Slapping spoons
Pry bars
Pressure gauges
Paint sprayers
Air hammers
Heavy duty inside spoons
Adjustable wrenches
Stud welder kits
Dial indicators
Scrapers
Buffing machines
Hydraulic jacks
Welding tips
Safety glasses
Pitch gauges
Alignment squares
Suction cups
Hot air guns
Calipers
Gas arc welding equipment
Socket wrench sets
Infrared IR paint curing units
Bondo spreaders
S-hooks
Jacks
Pressure feed sandblasters
Hand brakes
Pneumatic metal cutting guns
Stainless steel brushes
Impact wrenches
Pneumatic panel crimpers
Pneumatic smoothing hammers
Pick pull rods
General purpose spoons
Toe dollies
Hydraulic automobile lifts
Slide hammers
Frame alignment equipment
Brazing equipment
Single-cut mill saw files
Drill presses
Height gauges
Paint stencils
Crown spoons
Personal computers
Power drills
Soldering equipment
Feeler gauges
Sanding blocks
T pullers
Desktop computers
Safety hoods
Suction feed sandblasters

Appointment scheduling software
Swan River Estimiser Pro
Accounting software
Automotive and Accounting Software by R*KOM Invoice Writer
Materials management software
AutoZone ALLDATA
Inventory management software
Collision damage estimation software
Equipment management information software
Collision damage measurement software
Paint mixing and matching software
Accounts receivable software
Microsoft Windows