TDCJ Auto Body Repair
ABDR-1441. Struct Analysis & Damage Repair I. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Training in the roughing and shaping procedures on automotive sheet metal necessary to perform body repairs. Emphasis on the alignment of component parts such as doors, hood, front-end assemblies, and deck lids.
ABDR-1442. Struct Analysis & Damage Repair II. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Continuation of general repair and replacement procedures for damaged structural parts and collision damage.
ABDR-2431. Struct Analysis & Damage Repair III. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Application of advanced concepts for collision repair and replacement of major structural components.
ABDR-2435. Struct Analysis & Damage Repair IV. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Continuation of skills development in the repair and replacement of major body units.
ABDR-2437. Struct Analysis & Damage Repair V. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Operation of equipment and the procedures involved in the repair of body structures. Special emphasis on conducting a thorough damage analysis as well as demonstrating proper pulling and anchoring techniques.
ABDR-2441. Major Collision Repair & Panel Replacement. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Instruction in preparation of vehicles for major repair processes. Covers interpreting information from damage reports, planning repair sequences, selecting appropriate tools, and organizing removed parts for reinstallation.
What Automotive Body and Glass Repairers Do
Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.
Work Environment
Automotive body repairers work indoors in body shops, which are often noisy. Shops are typically well ventilated, so that dust and paint fumes can be dispersed. Repairers sometimes work in awkward and cramped positions, and their work can be physically demanding.
Automotive glass installers and repairers often travel to the customer’s location to repair damaged windshields and window glass.
SUMMARY
- 2021 Median Pay: $47,020 per year, $22.61 per hour
- Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Can take up to a year
- Number of Jobs, 2021: 171,000
- Job Outlook, 2021-31: 3% (Slower than average)
- Employment Change, 2021-31: 5,000
How to Become an Automotive Body or Glass Repairer
Most employers prefer to hire automotive body and glass repairers who have completed a training program in automotive body or glass repair. Still, many new automotive body and glass repairers begin work without previous training. Industry certification is becoming increasingly important.
Pay
The median annual wage for automotive body and related repairers was $47,270 in May 2021.
The median annual wage for automotive glass installers and repairers was $37,920 in May 2021.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of automotive body and glass repairers is projected to grow 3% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be best for job seekers with industry certification and training in automotive body and glass repair.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for automotive body and glass repairers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of automotive body and glass repairers with similar occupations.
MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING LINKS TO O*NET
Learn more about the automotive body and glass repairers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Automotive Body and Glass Repairers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-body-and-glass-repairers.htm (visited May 31, 2023).
Some careers in this field will require a bachelor's degree.
- TVCC's AA degrees are fully transferable to public universities in Texas. See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.
- Many of TVCC's AAS degrees lead to an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree with participating universities. See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.