Washington Car Mechanic Licenses, Salaries, and Certifications
Thankfully throughout the State of Washington, a good automobile service technician is not required to get a license to work on cars!
However, despite the fact that there’s no structured or national qualification does not imply most auto mechanics are equally eligible for a role in an automotive repair center.
In Washington, mechanics that fulfill the following standards are a great deal more likely to get themselves a position in an automotive repair shop than individuals which do not meet some of these minimal criteria:
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification (Master Mechanic certification preferred)
- Washington work experience in one of the following areas:
- Repair Technician – 1, 2, or 3 years
- Collision Damage Estimator – 2 years
- On-the-job training from local automotive dealers
- Plus: Any car manufacturer certifications (e.g. General Motors, Chrysler, Mercedes, BMW, etc.)
- Automotive Repair Classroom Training:
- Collision repair training
- Repair Technology training courses (including diagnostic software)
Salaries for Motor vehicle Specialists in Washington
Total Number of Auto Mechanics | 10,980 |
---|---|
Average Annual Salary | $43,760 |
Average Hourly Wage | $21.04 |
Employment (per 1,000 jobs) | 3.885 |
Annual Job Growth Rate | 4.0% |
Estimated Job Openings per Year | 549 |
Extra Skills
Making oneself a great deal more marketable to future mechanic shops, a lot of automotive technicians will discover that his or her career prospects increase if they can obtain additional qualifications and education:
Automobile Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in Washington
Many technicians elect to obtain specialised qualification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) (www.ase.com). ASE is an self-governing, non-profit organisation that enhances the the effectiveness of motor vehicle maintenance and services by certifying and validating repair work and auto service industry experts. ASE Certification is undoubtedly a fundamental part of a technician’s experience and credentials, and will help highlight knowledge and make technicians much more valuable to prospective employers. Simply be sure you devote some time to review for the assessments by using our free of charge testing articles and quiz questions. Automobile service technicians and various other service industry experts that want to get ASE certification may take each of ASE’s 40 tests. After passing these job-related capability assessments, the automotive specialist becomes ASE certified in any one of the following subjects: Automobile, truck, collision repair, and more.
Refrigerant Licensing in Washington
The United States Of America Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls for all automotive technicians that work with or buy refrigerants to acquire licensing in suitable handling of refrigerants. There is not a formalised test preparation necessary, but a number of unions, trade schools, and company groups offer classes and classes for examination preparation. Additional information on this official certification are accessible at the official EPA website.
ASE Student Certification in Washington
ASE Student Certification will help you move on the right track for setting up a career as an effective service professional in the automotive industry. In contrast to the full ASE official certifications, there are no mechanic experience qualifications for student certification. Any applicant simply just has to complete one or more of the student certification tests. Once the trainee has effectively achieved one or two assessments, the teachers prints the qualification and has it signed by the school principal and it is given to the individual. The student accreditation is valid for two years after the examination date.
Individual Qualities for Washington Licensed Mechanics
Eagle Eyes: Auto complications can regularly times be caused by neglected details or issues that may be identified by a very detailed auto mechanic. The nature of an vehicle technician is to look over every last possible problem with very good depth when reaching a prognosis or repair.
Customer Service Experience: Auto service experts assist customers regularly, and the most successful technicians develop close personalised relationships with their customers that keep them returning for long term future maintenance. Numerous specialists take too lightly this part of the Washington automobile repair industry.
Problem Solving Ability: A necessary competency of service professionals is the ability to troubleshoot engine, physical, and wear-related problems with cars and trucks as well as other complicated systems. The competency to detect and fix complications generally comes with hands-on training and experience in a
repair and maintenance shop.
Common Incomes in Washington by City:
City / Region | Typical Salary | Salary Range | Job Count |
---|---|---|---|
Bellingham | $40,510 | $26K - $60K | 310 |
Bremerton - Silverdale | $40,220 | $25K - $58K | 440 |
Kennewick - Pasco - Richland | $34,080 | $25K - $53K | 480 |
Longview | $38,560 | $23K - $59K | 120 |
Mount Vernon - Anacortes | $44,290 | $28K - $68K | 280 |
Olympia | $41,710 | $31K - $58K | 330 |
Seattle - Bellevue - Everett (Metro Area) | $42,870 | $22K - $69K | 4,280 |
Spokane | $36,810 | $25K - $57K | 750 |
Tacoma (Metro Area) | $44,360 | $25K - $60K | 1,700 |
Wenatchee - East Wenatchee | $40,830 | $27K - $58K | 110 |
Yakima | $36,650 | $22K - $57K | 340 |
Next Steps towards ASE Certification
Now that you’re familiar with all of the ASE Certification requirements in Washington, try out our free Automotive Service Excellence Tests to see how much you know!