Automotive & Diesel
Keep America moving. From corner garages to fleet maintenance shops to body-and-paint specialists, automotive trades are reliably hiring with clear cert-based progression and strong owner-operator paths.
Three vehicle-repair trades.
Automotive Technicians service light vehicles. Diesel Mechanics work trucks, buses, and heavy equipment — premium pay for premium training. Auto Body Technicians do collision and refinish work. Each has its own cert track and employer base.
Automotive Technician
7 job-title variantsService and repair light cars and trucks at dealerships, independent shops, and franchises. ASE certifications drive pay; manufacturer training opens premium roles.
Diesel Mechanic
7 job-title variantsWork on trucks, buses, RVs, agricultural and construction equipment. Premium pay over light-vehicle work for the heavier complexity and higher equipment cost.
Auto Body Technician
6 job-title variantsCollision repair, dent removal, panel replacement, and refinish (paint) work at body shops and dealership service departments. I-CAR certifications standard.
Apply across all three roles
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) is the cross-trade credentialing body. I-CAR covers collision and body work specifically. Manufacturer-specific training (Toyota, Ford, GM, Cummins) opens premium pay tiers.
ASE Certifications
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence — the dominant credentialing body. A1–A9 cover automotive specialties; T1–T8 cover medium/heavy truck; B1–B6 cover collision repair.
ASE homepage →I-CAR (Body Work)
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair — body-work standard. Pro Level 1, 2, 3 for technicians; specialty curricula for structural, refinish, and electrical.
I-CAR →Community College Auto Programs
Most regional CCs run 1-2 year automotive associate programs. NoVA CC, Cape Fear CC, Wake Tech. FastForward VA covers VA student tuition.
Manufacturer Training
Toyota T-TEN, Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Mopar CAP MOPAR, Cummins CTECH — all are manufacturer-specific training programs that hire grads directly into dealer service.
Helmets to Hardhats — Auto Trades
Veteran-to-civilian-trades pipeline; auto/diesel less union-heavy than building trades but still represented through fleet operators and dealer groups.
Helmets to Hardhats →Common pathways into Automotive & Diesel
KinTrades welcomes workers across all three roles in this family — veterans transitioning out of service, students planning a career, and people returning to work after time away.
Veterans
Army 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, Navy CM (Construction Mechanic, Seabees), and Air Force 2T3X1 Mission Generation Vehicle Maintenance are direct crosswalks. The military-to-civilian transition is one of the most established for this family.
ASE testing fees are GI Bill-eligible.
Federal fleet maintenance contracts (DoD, GSA, USPS) actively recruit veteran technicians.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Automotive is one of the most common HS career-technical-education programs across all four states. ASE Student Certification is open to HS students.
Manufacturer programs (Toyota T-TEN, Ford ASSET, GM ASEP) recruit at high schools and pay for tech-school tuition.
Direct hire as a service helper requires no credentials.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Independent auto shops and fleet operators are among the most second-chance friendly employers in skilled trades. Demonstrated skill (and ASE certs) carries weight over background history.
Dealership service departments often run background checks; independent service shops typically do not.
Federal fleet contracts require security screening.
Second-chance hiringCommon questions about Automotive & Diesel
What trades are in the Automotive & Diesel family?
Automotive & Diesel on KinTrades covers 3 roles: Auto Body Technician, Automotive Technician, Diesel Mechanic. Each is a recognized skilled trade with its own apprenticeship pathway, certifications, and pay band.
How do you get started in Automotive & Diesel?
Keep America moving. From corner garages to fleet maintenance shops to body-and-paint specialists, automotive trades are reliably hiring with clear cert-based progression and strong owner-operator paths. Most workers come in via an apprenticeship — usually 2 to 5 years paid OJT plus classroom hours — or through a community-college pre-apprenticeship that feeds into one. Some employers also direct-hire helpers and train on-site.
Is Automotive & Diesel a good fit for second-chance workers?
Independent auto shops and fleet operators are among the most second-chance friendly employers in skilled trades. Demonstrated skill (and ASE certs) carries weight over background history. Dealership service departments often run background checks; independent service shops typically do not. Federal fleet contracts require security screening.
Is Automotive & Diesel a good career path for veterans or high school students?
Veterans: Army 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, Navy CM (Construction Mechanic, Seabees), and Air Force 2T3X1 Mission Generation Vehicle Maintenance are direct crosswalks. The military-to-civilian transition is one of the most established for this family. ASE testing fees are GI Bill-eligible. Federal fleet maintenance contracts (DoD, GSA, USPS) actively recruit veteran technicians. Students: Automotive is one of the most common HS career-technical-education programs across all four states. ASE Student Certification is open to HS students. Manufacturer programs (Toyota T-TEN, Ford ASSET, GM ASEP) recruit at high schools and pay for tech-school tuition. Direct hire as a service helper requires no credentials.