Automotive body and related repairers
SOC Code: 49-3021
Automotive body and related repairers carries a 21% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $51,680 and +1.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 172,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 21% AI exposure, Automotive body and related repairers sits 16 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 8% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Automotive body and related repairers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Automotive body and related repairers has ai exposure of 21%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Automotive body and related repairers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Automotive body and related repairers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021) carries an AI exposure score of 21%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 172,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.6% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $51,680, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Automotive body and related repairers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- 2. 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.
- 3. 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.
- 4. Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- 5. Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- 6. Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- 7. Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
- 8. Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
- 9. 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.
- 10. Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
Key Skills Required
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Transportation
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Automotive body and related repairers?
Automotive body and related repairers has an AI exposure score of 21%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Automotive body and related repairers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Automotive body and related repairers is projected to grow by 1.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 172,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Automotive body and related repairers?
Key skills for Automotive body and related repairers include Repairing, Troubleshooting, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Automotive body and related repairers earn?
The median annual wage for Automotive body and related repairers is $51,680, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Automotive body and related repairers?
The typical entry-level education for Automotive body and related repairers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Automotive body and related repairers?
Automotive body and related repairers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).