How Many Jobs Are Available In Automotive Aftermarket

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Last Updated on June 5, 2023 by Chris Panteli

How Many Jobs Are Available In Automotive Aftermarket

Are you considering a career in the automotive aftermarket, but don’t know where to start?

Perhaps your lifelong dream has been to work on cars and you’re trying to break into the industry, but have questions.

How many jobs are available in automotive aftermarket sector?

What skills do you need for the automotive aftermarket sector?

What are the best paying jobs in the automotive aftermarket sector?

In this automotive aftermarket guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about working in this exciting industry.

What is the Automotive Aftermarket?

a man in a blue suit working on fixing a car

The automotive aftermarket is the industry that looks after automobiles once they’ve left the factory. This could include working with any of the following:

  • Tires
  • Automotive aftermarket parts
  • Vehicle accessories
  • Custom paint jobs
  • Modifying vehicles

There are thousands of job roles to pick from in the automotive aftermarket. Ranging from entry-level to high-level you can find a job role that suits your skills and interests.

Working in the automotive aftermarket doesn’t mean you have to do the same job forever. For example, you could take an entry-level job and work your way up to senior management. 

Whatever career path you want to take, you’ll find it in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Types of Automotive Aftermarket Jobs

You’ll find in the automotive aftermarket that there’s a huge range of jobs to choose from. Engineering, sales, and management are just a few of the types of automotive aftermarket job roles that you can pursue. 

Here’s some of the top job titles you’ll find in the automotive aftermarket industry:

  • Mechanical engineer
  • Automotive technician
  • Automotive parts manufacturing jobs
  • Machine operator
  • Factory manager
  • Social media manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Mechanic
  • Sales representatives
  • Technicians
  • Customer service representative
  • Software engineer
  • Human resources
  • Automotive engineer

Skills Needed for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

To build a successful automotive aftermarket career in North America, you should focus on building these skills. All these skills will help you to become more successful.

Plus, many of these skills are transferable. That means if you fancy a career change in the future, cultivating these skills now can help you with a new career too.

Vehicle Knowledge

Even if you’re not passionate about cars, building your auto industry knowledge is a must. Vehicle knowledge is essential for anyone working on vehicles such as a mechanic or design engineer. However, expert vehicle knowledge also helps for other roles too.

If you work in sales, management, or social media, then knowing the industry and the product is vital. 

For example, if you work in an auto parts store, then closing a sale for replacement parts will be much easier if you have industry knowledge. A buyer is less likely to trust a seller that doesn’t have intimate knowledge of the aftermarket products they’re trying to sell.

Always spend time learning everything you can about your business and the wider automotive industry.

Attention to Detail

A good eye is important when working with cars. Modern cars are incredibly complex so the ability to identify the problem and how to fix it is essential.

Willingness to Work Hard

Depending on your job role you might need to work long hours, weekends, and work a physically demanding job.

You must be willing to work hard to meet the demands of both employers and customers.

Be Organized

Whether you work in a garage, factory, or office, you must be good at keeping organized. Knowing where your tools are means you can work more efficiently as you aren’t wasting time looking for something.

Keeping organized also means remembering to hit deadlines. The ability to do this will keep your employer happy and customers. That means when discussing raises or promotions, you’ll have a better chance at getting what you ask for.

Always Remain Professional

No matter what your work environment is like or how bad a day you’re having, you must always remain professional.

The ability to be professional even with the most difficult of customers is essential to progressing your career.

For example, when working in dealerships you may have to handle angry or rude customers. Dealing with these types of customer professionally can take great control.

If you dream of rising to management level for an equal opportunity employer, then showing you can remain professional in the face of adversity will strengthen your application.

Pros and Cons of Working in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

two men working on the engine of a car

Working in the automotive aftermarket can be both exciting and rewarding. That doesn’t mean the industry is perfect for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons of the automotive aftermarket industry.

✅ Pros

Endless Career Options

It’s not just mechanics that are needed. All kinds of job roles need to be filled including IT, sales, management, and customer service.

That means you have endless possibilities to progress in your career. You might start with an entry-level job, but if you have ambition and a willingness to work hard, then you can achieve all your goals.

❌ Cons

Long Hours

Depending on your job role, you may need to work long and unsociable hours. Working late or weekends is not uncommon for many automotive aftermarket workers.

Health and Safety Risks

Working any physically demanding job comes with health and safety risks. Your body may suffer wear and tear which could mean health problems in later life. 

There’s also the risk of injury in the workplace when working with tools, chemicals, and other people. Although all workplaces should have robust Health and Safety policies, accidents do happen.

Things to Know When Choosing the Automotive Aftermarket as a Career

If you’re considering a career in the automotive aftermarket industry, there’s a couple of important things you should know.

Working in the automotive aftermarket industry gives you access to endless career opportunities. Many of these job roles are also available all around the United States or even worldwide.

All this means that job security, career progression, and the chance for relocation are high for workers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Best Paying Jobs in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

If you’re looking for the best paying jobs in the automotive aftermarket industry, then senior management or high-level engineers are going to be the best paid.

Executives in the automotive aftermarket industry earn an average of $180,810 per year. You’ll need many skills for this type of role including leadership, planning, and industry knowledge.

Highly skilled engineers that work with complex vehicle systems could earn as much as $128,192 per year.

Is Automotive Aftermarket A Good Career Path?

a man in a white suit spray painting a car

The automotive aftermarket is a fast-paced industry with many changes on the horizon. Autonomous passenger cars, a new electric vehicle, advances with automotive technology, and much more are all things happening now.

If you’re looking for employment with exciting possibilities, then the automotive aftermarket could be the answer for you.

One great example of this was CEO Steve Handschuh. Steve worked in the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 40 years. Starting out as a salesman, the eventually worked his way up to CEO. A great example of the career progression that you can enjoy.

Hard workers with the ability to learn can enjoy fantastic career opportunities. You may take an entry-level job today, but in 10 years you could be running the company.

Once you’ve got the skills, experience, and industry knowledge you can go anywhere within the automotive aftermarket industry.

Average Salary in the Automotive Aftermarket Industries

To give you a better understanding of the automotive aftermarket, here are a few potential job roles and the average salary you could earn.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers may work on cars themselves or creating new auto parts. You could earn an average salary of $92,565 as a mechanical engineer.

Logistician

Logisticians are responsible for making sure materials, automotive parts, cars, and everything else arrive on time at the right place. This is a fast-paced job role that requires many skills including outstanding attention to detail. A logistician earns an average salary of $50,000 per year.

Mechanic

When thinking of the automotive aftermarket, mechanics in a repair shop are probably the first job that comes to mind. If you enjoy repairing, maintaining, and inspecting cars, then a career as a mechanic could be for you. In the US, mechanics can expect to earn an average salary of $48,127.

How Many Jobs Are Available In Automotive Aftermarket

The automotive aftermarket is a huge industry with a wide variety of job roles on offer. Globally, the automotive aftermarket industry is worth a staggering $407 billion. That’s a huge number that’s expected to rise to a colossal 529 billion dollars by 2028.

Labor statistics from the Auto Care Association shows that over 4 million people are employed in the automotive industry. That’s a reassuring figure if you’re considering a new career in the automotive aftermarket.

Thanks to continued growth and innovative changes to the industry, there continues to be plenty of jobs available in the automotive aftermarket industry.

How to Find a Job in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

To start your automotive aftermarket career, you may need to get some skills first. Attending a trade school or college may be necessary depending on the field you want to pursue.

It may also be possible to learn on the job by finding an apprenticeship. Although these opportunities may still require you to attend school part-time too.

Finding a job opportunity in the automotive aftermarket industry can be done using any of the following methods:

  • Search online
  • Apply to local companies
  • Ask people you know or have worked with before
  • Use social media such as LinkedIn
  • Become a member of organisations such as the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association
  • Connect with recruiters in the industry to setup a job alert

The Future of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

The future of the automotive aftermarket industry is bright. Innovative changes are happening all the time which means more job roles are created every year.

By 2028, the automotive aftermarket industry is expected to be worth more than $500 billion. This growth means there’s never been a better time to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Now you know how many jobs are available in automotive aftermarket. Plus, the skills you’ll need and the types of jobs available. What should you do next?

If you want to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket industry the first step is to make sure your resume is up to date. Next, start searching for your dream career online either locally or nationally and apply for the job you want. Good luck with your new career!

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