Josh Wienman | April 6, 2023

Is Auto Manufacturing A Good Career Path?

Is auto manufacturing a good career path? It depends on a person’s personal choice, interest, etc. But this is a great career path since it has huge demand and one can get a handsome salary from this sector.

Auto manufacturing companies provide a variety of career choices. This is a growing industry, and people with the required skills and educational requirements can grab the automotive industry as a career.

If you are looking for careers in the automotive industry, here we’ve shared the details you need to know so that this is your best step.

What Is Auto Manufacturing?

Generally, auto manufacturing is a complex process, but this is very interesting. The auto manufacturing industry includes any company that delivers vehicles like cars, trucks, or any commercial vehicles or equipment to sell. Auto manufacturing also plays a vital role in the world’s fuel economy.

If you are a car lover or interested in vehicles and looking for a secure, sound, paying job, you should consider careers in the automotive industry. Moreover, you will get a steady income since this is a growing industry.

Some auto manufacturing companies are Toyota Motor Corporation, Tesla Incorporation, Ford, General Motors Company, Daimler, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen Group, BMW, etc.

Pros and Cons of Auto Manufacturing Jobs

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How Many Jobs Are Available In Auto Manufacturing

Are you looking for automotive industry jobs? The list goes on. In the United States, the automotive industry is a massive operation. It has various positions like plant manager, engineer, machine operator, etc.

Nevertheless, let’s discuss common jobs in the auto manufacturing industry.

Vehicle Inspector
Auto Electrician
Auto Body Repair Technician
Auto engineer
Tow Truck Driver
Process Engineer
Quality Testing Engineer
Tire Technician
Automotive engineer
Automotive technician
Auto detailing owner
Auto glass repair owner
Car concierge

How many jobs are available in auto manufacturing? There are different types of careers available in this industry. If you are a vehicle freak, you can consider careers in the automotive industry. Let’s check out the high-paying jobs in auto manufacturing.

Read a related article about Career Path on Building Products.

Qualifications and Skills Needed

Education Requirements

To get a job, you usually need to go to school. Some jobs just need a high school diploma. Others need a two-year or four-year college degree. Some even need a master’s or doctorate. And some jobs need special certificates. Your education level matters for the kind of job you want.

Technical Skills

These are the skills you need to do specific tasks at work. For example, if you work on a computer, you must know how to use programs like Word and Excel. Some jobs need you to know particular computer languages. Some jobs also need you to know how to use machines or tools.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are how you act at work. You need to know how to talk to people. You also need to work well with others. Being able to solve problems is essential, too. You should know how to manage your time. These skills help you get along with your coworkers and do your job well.

Industry-Specific Training

Some jobs need you to have special training. For example, to be a nurse, you must learn about healthcare. This training is often taught at the job itself. Sometimes, you go to particular classes or workshops. In some jobs, like flying a plane, you also need a special license.

Continuous Learning

Even after you get a job, you should keep learning. This can help you get better at your job or a higher-paying job later. You can take online classes. You can also read books and articles about your job. Some people attend special events to learn more and meet new people in the same field.

Career Paths and Specializations

Production Management

If you like ensuring things run smoothly, this job is for you. You’ll be in charge of the whole process of making a car. You’ll ensure the factory has what it needs and that cars are made on time. You’ll also make sure workers are doing their jobs well. This role is crucial because you help the factory make as many good cars as possible.

Quality Control

Do you have an eye for detail? Quality control might be the right fit for you. In this job, you check cars to ensure they are built well. You look at the parts and how they fit together. If something is wrong, you let the team know so they can fix it. Your job ensures that the cars people buy are safe and work well.

Design and Engineering

If you love to draw or build things, think about a career in design and engineering. You’ll come up with how the car looks and how it works. Engineers make sure the car can run well and is safe. Designers decide what the car will look like. Your work makes the car both good to look at and good to drive.

Research and Development

Are you curious? Do you like to learn new things? In research and development, you find out how to make cars better. You could work on making cars that use less gas. Or you might figure out how to make them safer. You try new ideas and see if they work. This job is all about making the future of cars better.

Sales and Marketing

If you like talking to people, consider sales and marketing. You help people decide to buy your cars. In sales, you talk to customers and let them know why your car is the best one for them. In marketing, you determine the best way to tell people about your cars. You could make ads or plan events. Your work helps the company sell more cars.

Best Paying Jobs In Auto Manufacturing

Automotive jobs offer impressive salaries and many opportunities to work with vehicles. However, let’s look at some of the best-paying jobs in the industry.

Automotive Hardware Engineer
Automotive Designer
Automotive Service Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
Engine Research Engineer
Vehicle Calibration Engineer
Automotive Project Engineer
Automotive Consultant

Automotive Hardware Engineer

An automotive hardware engineer is one of the best paying jobs in auto manufacturing. An experienced automotive hardware engineer can make up to $150,000 a year.

At the same time, the average entry-level salary for an automotive hardware engineer is $72,000.

To start your career as an automotive hardware engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in automotive, mechanical, or electrical.

Nevertheless, an automotive hardware engineer designs and builds hardware, tests new hardware and software, and troubleshoots issues. The engineer also supports the engineering team.

Automotive Designer

The average salary range of an automotive designer is $75,934 a year. An automotive designer is a creative person who designs different aspects of a spectacle. He uses software like AutoCAD to do his job efficiently.

Automotive Service Manager

Another automotive industry job is the automotive service manager. An automotive service manager’s average salary per year is $70,641. You need a high school diploma to join as a service manager.

However, the responsibilities of an automotive service manager are training, managing, and training the employees.

Other duties are preparing the annual operating budget, recording financial information, managing and controlling costs, etc.

Read another career-related blog about Specialty Insurers.

Quality Assurance Manager

As a quality assurance manager, you have to maintain the quality of products in every department. You need to organize the product, and once you approve the quality, the processing department will start manufacturing.

Additionally, you need to develop a plan to help the company management. You have to maintain strong communication with the team members.

The average salary of a quality assurance manager is $107,862 a year in the USA. You need a four-year bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business or a related product field.

Vehicle Dynamics Engineer

A vehicle dynamic engineer works with the team to handle different attributes and develop any vehicle areas—for instance, the tires, suspension, steering, dynamic controls, etc.

The average salary of a vehicle dynamics engineer in the USA is $79,000 a year. You can be a dynamic vehicle engineer with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.

Engine Research Engineer

In the United States, the average salary of an engine research engineer is $114,910 per year. Anyhow, as a research engineer, he tries to improve the performance of cars.

They also work to improve any features of the vehicle. In the automotive industry, research is essential to support the manufacturer in customizing the vehicle from the customer’s perspective.

Vehicle Calibration Engineer

Vehicle calibration engineering is another high-paying job in auto manufacturing. The duties of a calibration engineer are to monitor the mechanical parts of the specified value range. He also repairs mechanical or electronic systems.

To become a calibration engineer, one must have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a professional engineer license.

However, the salary of a vehicle calibration engineer is $75,000 to $135,000 per year.

Automotive Project Engineer

Is auto manufacturing a good career path? Yes, it is! Because in the United States, the average salary of an automotive project engineer is $91,731 per year.

As a project engineer, the person should have much technical expertise. For instance, he needs to be an expert in the hardware of automotive, ECU design, sales terms, hardware/software architectures, etc.

He is also responsible for sales growth. An automotive project engineer should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering design or physics, mechanical engineering, production, and manufacturing engineering.

You may also learn about the data engineer career. Just check out the inserted link.

Automotive Consultant

The responsibility of an automotive consultant is arranging the test drives and matching customers with suitable vehicles. In addition, an automotive consultant sells to customers via the auto dealership.

To be an automotive consultant, you must be an expert in sales strategies. The average salary of an automotive consultant is $79,500-$119,441 a year.