This can be a very hot button topic for folks. Let's keep it civil if we can . Thanks also to Lucas and Chris for their views. Also id love to hear yout why or why not. A simple no is good, but why is even better.
heavy equip, industrial, diesel, those are probably where the greatest opportunities are. the difference between a car broke and a piece of equipment that costs 10k a day to be down in HUGE!
@@HumbleMechanicI knew I wanted to be a mechanic but I didn't know what kind After looking ( at indeed funnily enough) I found a diesel apprenticeship program that gave you a service cart and a basic set of tools and pays while you are learning on the job I've been doing this for a couple of years now and I still love it
The parts prices are too high and labor times are too low. Fix those and mechanics will come back. Most techs are not skilled enough to really study wiring diagrams and develop test plans. These are engineer level problems now, but monkey wrench pay. This one hour diagnostic crap is a thing of the past.
If working on cars is your hobby, it won't be your hobby for long if you become a technician. It's hard to enjoy working on cars in your free time when you've already spent 8 hours working on vehicles.
This and really bad management is why I left the field. However, I have a hobby AND a job: I flip cars that look good at the right price at auctions and specialize in Subarus due to their resale value. It’s a nice way to go from my career work to my hobby work and have it make me an additional 30-40% over my salary every year. During the used car panic, I cleaned up and closed shop when the prices got out of hand and just did maintenance on the cars of friends, families, and the people I sold cars to. Also finally had time to work on my own projects. lol.
So true, but that goes for other professions. As a CPA, I typically file tax extensions for my own return. A week of 12 hour + days and the last thing I want to see is my own finances. What little wrenching I may get to do is still work to some, but just fun for me.
being a mechanic is literally the worst trade. you have to be a mechanic, electrician, welder, fabricator, detailer and a pipe fitter all while getting exposed to toxic industrial chemicals that will 100% give you cancer only to make less than what a manager at Mcdonald's does. you have all the risk and hard work of other trades with none of the pay or benefits.
@@cedricrodriguez9474 lol, the cost of tools, the warranty jobs that fuck you over, some of the unreal labor times you get paid. The industry fucks you over more ways than one… everyday. I move onto a new career after 15 years of being an automotive technician and couldn’t be happier.
@@cedricrodriguez9474nope, I've got a brain in my skull. I'll leave the wrenching to retards. Got into for about 5 years and realized if I want to go anywhere or be happy in life to pick a different career. I spent 1000s out of pocket and loans to go back to school, best decision I ever made
My dad is 76 years old…he’s been a mechanic for over 50 years! He started in the early early 70s as a VW specialist working at a dealership in North Jersey. He eventually opened up his own shop in the early 80s and has been plugging away ever since, he’s the hardest working man I ever met. I’ll never forget holding onto the holy sh!t dash bar in his orange bug while he ripped through the gears. Even though he never became super successful, he’s built an amazing reputation and he’s always loved his shop! He’s there all the time tinkering away. He takes care of his customers and they all love him. Since he’s pushing 80, my mom is on him to close up and sell it. But we’re all worried that it might not be the best thing for him. He worked straight through all his chemo treatments last year…he’s a tough SOB. And if he does sell it, I’m gonna have to start paying for repairs! Lol. My hero! I love you Pops!
Haven’t watched the video yet but as a SM ford tech for the last 10 years all I gotta say is keep it as a hobby. My back and knees hurt, I’m bald and I’m only 30. It has killed my love and joy for cars. You will make a good living though! These cars are getting harder and harder to fix and labor keeps going down.
@@HumbleMechanic yup exactly! I use to love modding my car now I gotta force myself just to change the oil 😂 but to talk about pay more I’m also extremely lucky to be at my dealer. It’s super well managed, the parts guys are awesome and so are the service writers. I make over $200,000 a year so the money is out there you just need a good team and the right skills
@@HumbleMechanic I think this applies to all trade jobs. Plumbers, electricians, mechanics, cooks.... How does that saying go? Want to know the worst running car on the road, drive your mechanics car . I think these days a work life balance has resolved a little of this, but chasing the dollars is real and can equal burnout.
This is what I did. I love it as a hobby. I hated doing it day in and day out. Now I just work as the only thing techs hate more than customers. Parts department 😬
Another thing to touch on is the heat. It may not be an issue for dealer techs, I’ve never worked for a dealership, but I’ve worked in independent shops for 19 years now, a lot of people aren’t cut out for the heat. I’ve never worked in an air conditioned shop. I’ve seen people quit because of it. It’s hard and it’s something a lot of people don’t think about.
I think that goes with the work environment he mentioned. Being comfortable is of utmost importance. Even how good the lighting in the shop is affects my decision to work there.
I work at a dealership and it’s so freaking hot and humid it’s insane. I spend more of the day wet than dry, it was so hard and I’d go home with a headache at the beginning, but i’m getting used to it. I live in Northeast Wisconsin so winter is also really freaking bad too. We gotta layer up just to get a car, so it’s just back and forth hell all year tbh.
Yeah. I had a bad experience. VW dealer told me I needed a new DSG. 2013 Jetta TDI. My complaint was hesitation upon acceleration. I paid the diag fee grabbed my car and left. Went to dealer I knew was familiar with TDI. 30 minutes later fixed. Cracked charge air tube. Warrantied. Went back to other dealer got my diag fee back.
This kind of thing happens more than I wish it did. Shotgunning a transmission is always scary as a tech. I hope the tech learned from it, and im glad you got the car fixed like it should have been.
same with mine. All I needed was a timing belt replacement on a 03tdi. Went in running fine, came out not running at all. They blamed so much additional items beyond their own work. After market fuel filter (cat filter) metal skid plate (for some reason). Took it to a mechanic who looked at it, the timing was off, they did not use any tools to lock items down, just took the belt off, then back on. Locked the 3 points down, installed the belt, put items back together and huh, started within a few seconds.
This video came at the right time. Ive been a toyota tech at the same dealer for over 9 years, completed my apprenticeship in canada and became a journeyman. This is the only dealership ive ever known, and after getting mistreated by management for a couple years i decided to take a leap to another dealer and product manufacturer. I start on Tuesday and have been extremely nervous about it. This gave me assurance ive more than likely made the right move. Thank you! 🙏🏽
I left being a dealer tech 23 years ago, since then I’ve averaged $75-85k for the first ten years, $75-124k ten years after that and now making $145-165k for the last 3 years. All that by just being a union truck driver. $14 an hour into my pension and 100% employer paid medical/benefits. Best move I ever made.
@@Timberjagi I’m actually a local driver and home everyday. Occasionally I’ll cover some vacation relief for the over the road guys and see the country for 4-5 days for a change of scenery for the week.
Getting a union job changes everything. If more people understood that, we'd have a lot more people in unions. They had to move most manufacturing work oversees to break the unions the first time. If today's generation of organizers can organize service workers, they won't be able to do it again.
I started my career as a Toyota technician and moved to independent couple years later. Did that for close to 10 years and finally moved on to Heavy duty fleet technician. Ive been a hd mechanic for 12 years and by far my home life has been improved greatly. I recommend anyone looking to get into the trade go fleet medium duty/ Heavy duty. Better pay benefits/retirement. Better home life as your work schedule usually is a 8hr day instead of 10hrs.
I was a self employed mobile mechanic for 15 years, I was working anywhere between 18 and 20 hours a day, 6 days a week. Long hours, but the pay was really good, and everything was a write off. Put all my kids through college without an ounce of debt on any ones part. I then moved on to a mom and pop shop, and HATED it, absolutely hated it. I was finally approached by a friend who wanted to star a restoration business, he asked me to be his mechanical, engine and metal fabricator guy. So I took it. LOVE IT! Now I build them instead of fixing them. I get overtime and benefits. And we do enough business that he hired a helper for me. And I make bank. I've always been into restoration, done a few of them on my own through the years, but to get paid to do it, is just awesome. The downside of it, is that people now have unrealistic expectations of how long it takes and how much it costs. And this industry will chew you up and spit you out, it takes a special kind of crazy to get into restoration.
Been a diesel tech for 13 years now. Always pushed and was very vocal about getting any extra training I could get. Worked for quite a few different dealers/distributors, completed 100’s of hours of online training from multiple manufacturers. Started 2.5 years ago with my current shop, training finally paid off and was recognized by starting me out $10/hr more than the previous one. A little over a year in, got promoted to shop lead, still turning wrenches and also getting to do a lot of custom work as well, and my hourly pay is almost another $10/hr over my starting wages. But to get to this point, I dealt with the crappy management, coworkers, environment, all of the negative aspects.
For every bad mechanic story, I have two about customers. Your average pay claim is total BS. Yes, there are a few who do well. My experience is that every garage has one golden boy they feed and all the rest are on their own. Twenty-five years in the field, ten year shop owner. Getting out of the field was the best choice of my life.
No, his claim on salary is about right. In shops that have that golden boy.....its your own fault for staying their if they dont want to fix that issue. The video didnt mention specifics but it mentions to not stay in a crappy environment. You just described a crappy environment. So its your fault for being there. And he mentioned that the environment you are looking for maybe be miles away or at a different make than you like. And as a shop owner.......you apparently suck at it. There was your opportunity to fix what you experienced as a tech.....yet......what happened, that you say leaving it was the best thing? To me, you just show you were not cut out for this field.
@@user-fc9iq6le2g After being a small business owner for over ten years (let's see you do as well) my wife of two decades was diagnosed wit breast cancer. This was during the real estate market crash of 2006. I had to choose between my wife's medical bills or keeping my business alive. Maybe next time you comment you should try to be less judgemental. Karma can be a bitch.
I honestly believe that if you happen to be a mechanic in life is because that life chose you. Either inherited or you just happened to have that special click that makes you good at it. Not everyone can fix something without RUclips.
Best of luck to him. Id highly recommend he find the positive sources to get insight from. You can easily find the bad. the good takes work, but it's out there.
I will add "Don't be afraid of (or to learn) electronics". It is a major part of every car nowadays. Not being afraid to test/repair/cut wires and sensors is important. Nothing to me is worse than hearing "These cars nowadays with the computers make them impossible to work on". IMHO...once you know the ins/outs of testing and diagnostics of the electrical components you may realize that it is actually easier at times to find the issue. There are safety considerations to keep in mind (especially with some of the hybrid/EV battery packs) but otherwise it is a lot less complex than it may seem. Just like mechanical...break it down into systems. This information just improves your overall skill set and options in life. My interest in automotive and electronics is what allowed me to look at 3d printers in 2011 and say "I can do that" which has influenced my career path today. As Charles mentioned....you have a skill set that is valuable. You can roll your toolbox to another shop or even industry.
@@jacob07221 The programmers I personally know who also do car work make the coolest stuff. One guy made an arduino based CAN connected device which simply turned off the traction control and set all his settings when he started the car. Eliminating the need to push the buttons every time. The overlap between fields is always where the cool stuff happens. Knowing how to navigate the computer systems is really a valuable skill as well.
As a car audio tech this one gets me. I don't know why dealer techs hate electrical, it's science not voodoo. Performance shop techs seem way better, but dealer techs just look for any aftermarket equipment and are quick to blame it and hope the car just goes away.
I just bought the book how to diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems. I’m making it my mission to be a master at diagnosing electrical issues
I started my mechanic career as a self taught guy as a fleet mechanic at medium sized cities parks department. It paid ok for the time but I’m sure I could make more elsewhere. I decided that wrenching every day was killing my love for cars. After a few detours into other jobs I ended up in quality control in automotive manufacturing! Love it! Pays well, and satisfies my OCD. I do work on cars on the side and spent a large portion of the pandemic buying broken cars on FB marketplace, fixing them and flipping them.
@@EvanShowsMTB I started in logistics (forklift ect) at the company I work for as a temp/entry level position, went full time, when a quality position opened up I applied/tested/interviewed and got promoted. The company I’m with is big on promotion from within and on-the-job-training/learning, you don’t need a college degree to easily make well over 100k here. Take the chance, be curious and learn everything you can and you can go far in this industry.
Great video Charles as always! Thanks for having me share my opinion. Is it worth it? Yes BUT everyone’s experiences are different because there are unfortunately really good shops to work for and really bad shops to work at. As you mentioned there are many factors that go into this conversation. 1. Work culture is huge 2. Work life balance is a massive factor 3. Pay 4. Flat rate must die These are the top 4 things I hear personally hear talking to techs every single day. You can have all of these things IF you find a great shop and yes they are out there and there are more and more making changes and improving. If you are at a crappy shop. Dont stay around. Make a change. Get treated like you deserve and get paid what you deserve. Best statement you said as well is 100% is it’s all on you.
As someone who recently got into the industry I think you hit the nail on the head with this video. I wholeheartedly agree with all of the points you made and think they are great advice for new techs. For background, I just graduated from tech school at my local community college about 3 months ago and have been working at a dealership for almost 2 years now. I started my career at my local Honda dealership because I was super into Hondas at the time but over the year and a half I was there had a pretty bad experience overall (basically non-existent apprenticeship program, terrible management, and tons of drama in the shop). Unfortunately I was too scared to leave and ultimately got fired over a mistake I made (in large part due to how stressed i was there). Luckily my local ford dealership was willing to take a chance on me and it has been an absolutely amazing change of scenery. I am finally in a position where I feel like I am actually learning and growing as a technician while also having the luxury of working with an experienced tech who I can ask questions to when I am unsure. I still have a long way to go but everyday I am growing in my confidence as a tech and that has been such a rewarding experience.
Being a dealer tech sucks. The better you get, the less money you make because warranty times are designed to screw you over. Being a tech for a indie shop or a specialized shop for a specific brand it great though, since they get the “gravy” like brakes and whatnot. Also don’t do it if you already liked working on cars, because it destroys the hobby for you. I haven’t touched my golf in weeks.
I love my job in fleet on class 8 trucks and trailers I guess that’s because there’s not customers being “waiters” AND we don’t do warranty so we don’t workers about that at all. Also we don’t have SRTs (standard repair times) are we watched enough so we don’t take 6 hours on a 3 hour job? For sure. But if we take 30-45 minutes they do not care as long as it gets fixed right the first time The problem I think is people chase the flat rate because technically that’s were the money is by coming in under the repair time
@@Tcorellis-j6d god that sounds like a golden job. I am happy for you. Warranty was seriously 76% of my stress. If you don’t get paid flat rate do you get paid a decent hourly pay? I know 20$ per hour wouldn’t pay the tool trucks off
This is full fraud!They don't have A,B,C shop rates and YOU CANNOT CHARGE A PREMIUM PRICE THEN SUBSTITUTE AN INFERIOR PRODUCT OR SERVICE.EVERY DEALER U.S.A. NOW!IF A CUSTOMER IS PAYING $200 AN HOUR THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE A WELL PAID GERMAN ROCKET SCIENTIST REPAIR THEIR EXPENSIVE VEHICLES!NOT SOME AT-RISK YOUTH ON A GOVERNMENT TRAINING PROGRAM.THEY ONLY HAVE SHORTAGES OF DUMB AND CHEAP!"Dealers need to look at lower skill level technicians. There are several benefits: They’re a lot easier to steal from somebody else and they make you more money because they have a lower cost. You hire an A mechanic at $25 an hour, a C for $15 an hour, and your labor rate is $75 an hour. So you’re paying $25 to get $75 or paying $15 to get $75.”
One HUGE factor that you touched on is co-workers, ESPECIALLY those in mentor / apprentice positions. Be careful who you get to “help” you. In the technician’s world, on flat rate at least, it’s dog eat dog. Techs want other techs to fail so they can make more money and get better jobs fed to them. I started out at an Audi dealer as a tech and the guy that was “training” me dismissed my questions and always seemed irritated when I asked about things, and laughed at me when I would screw up. I remember the first time I did spark plugs on a D3 A8 W12, it was taking me a while to figure everything out cause the entire upper intake manifold has to come off for that job. I could hear across the shop one of the other guys somewhat quietly joke to his buddy “come on it’s just spark plugs”. Imagine how that made me feel, like garbage. Great video, thank you for making this. I was an Audi dealer tech for 5 years, then a fleet tech at a municipality for another 5 years. Did some other jobs such as parts dept, auto insurance adjuster, class B truck driver, now a year ago I just got into quality control in manufacturing for one of the big OEMs, and am happy to be out of wrenching. You are right, it is not for everyone and I did feel like a failure when I left, but am a lot happier now and making a lot more money with better benefits and better working conditions.
Your story is the same as mine when I started as a diesel mechanic. My trainee told me after I introduced myself I hate training new guys and it only slows me down. I was the only guy to make it through training with this prick. It was like working with Jekyll and Hyde and he would always dismiss my questions and if he messed up something he would blame me. This is a big reason shops have huge turnover.
surprisingly the shops i’ve worked in people are friendly enough to help you but also will watch you mess up when they could’ve warned you about something you didn’t know… however it’s becoming to a point of knocking them out to get the next best ticket and consciously i can’t recommend every small nitpicking thing because customers don’t deserve that. I’m looking at different trades or even career paths but I’m only 2-3 years with shop experience and I already see how it’s going to go for me
To add to the "arent you a master technician..." When you are at the top, when theres new technology, such as a completely redesigned engine, its up to you to figure it out. Theres service info and thats it. No one to call, no one around to lean on. Can become stressful. I welcome it in small pieces but it can wear you down. I recently replaced a cylinder head on a new style vehicle I hadn't even driven yet. But youre supposed to know everything... Uhg
Techline and engineers be like "Call us when you figure it out and here's 5 tenths" Field service engineers won't come around here because if they can't diagnose it in 3 tenths they get thrown in the dumpster out back.
I have been paid several hours to diagnose difficult electrical problems in the past by several different manufacturers.All of a sudden they are running 100 different modules and several million lines of code in the operating software and I am expected to do it for free.THEY ARE CRIMINALS AND IT'S ALL FRAUD NOW!
For anyone just graduating high school or still in their early 20s, i encourage to go to community college and do the auto program, dont go to uti, and learn the basics and theory. work on a independent shop and/or dealership for a few years and then change careers because the amount of knowledge, experience and investment, aint worth it in pay compared to the other trades like electrician or etc in the long run. once you are able to switch trades, youll be a better worker compared others due to how much knowledge you need to be an auto tech. I wish auto techs are better paid or if this whole system changes.
Indy shop I was a worked for had 3/12s. Open Mon-Saturday, so 2 crews on an A/B schedule. The techs having 4 days off a week was a huge morale booster. They used to joke that they worked a half-day. Customers loved the early/late schedules and especially jobs that could be turned around on a Saturday. Owner sold it to someone who just added it to his business portfolio. New owner took the structure everyone loved, put into a box with all of the business's common sense, and kicked it off a cliff.
As someone who fixes equipment for a living, it's awesome to fix your own stuff, but I definitely wouldn't recommend doing it for a living. Constantly having to beat book time really eats away at my perfectionist personality, whereas fixing my own stuff I couldn't care less if it takes me twice book time because I know it's being done right. Not to mention how many times I see something that really needs to be taken care of before it becomes a problem and yet the customer doesn't want to fix it until it's broke and gets *really* expensive.
It’s paid all my bills and beyond but I cannot in good conscience recommend this industry the way it currently is structured. The problems are not a secret and yet no change has been made at scale. Everyone plays but only a few win the lottery. If you must work in this industry be a service advisor, they make the same or more pay. They don’t have to buy tools or work in the heat and don’t take a physical beating.
One thing i beat into the new guys head is to buy tools first and THEN buy that $15k snap-on box. A kid got hired and bought a box the next week after for $15k. And kept asking to borrow tools. Of course after the 3rd time borrowing something i told him to buy it but he couldnt because the box payments were so high. After he left my spark plug socket set out in the rain i told him to kick rocks and now he has a giant empty box
Spent 5 years being made fun of my box at different shops. Went into something else that pays slightly more and is 1/10 the work. Box stays at home. Who's laughing now?
I work circles around my elderly coworker with $100k+snap on. And I have the cheapest boxes you can find. He used to poke fun til he realized I was a marathon champion literally so I could be running full tilt every hour of the work day. The name of the game isn’t to buy tools. It’s to make money. Spending less on tools= making more
@@fastinradfordable Bro create a llc and make your own business. Many start with starting a mobile mechanic on their off days then scale up. Imagine very little overhead at $90 an hour.
Don't. Tools ,bad backs missing fingers. Exposure to toxic chemicals. And no retirement. And the fact that customers expect more from you that a doctor or lawyer. This is not a career it's a death sentence. Be an engineer.
I made that mistake, & I’m looking to get out of it because it sucks. I’ve spent close to $5000 into tools, have OEM training & still getting paid $20 an hour.
@@michaelbenoit248stop dude just stop Whining about tools is ridiculous. If your employer supplied your tools to work at their facility, for their customers.... How would you fix your own vehicle at home, if you had no tools? How would you make side money, if you had no tools? Youre employer is to lend you their tools? Youre not mechanic material.......nut up or get to steppin But dam.......stop whining about tools......you need them to do the job. And using the right tool on tje right application...helps you do that job faster and easier. Only stupid whine about tools.....the weak whine about tools
The biggest issue is the peak salary combined with flat rate. Even really good techs are peaking at 80 to 90k, which isn't really great money, especially these days. Sure there's always those guys that flag 70/80 hours a week, the magicians; but that's not typical. If you really want to make money, and want to stay in the business, you need to specialize in a niche, Euro or whatever, or even further narrow it down, and specialize in one or two brands, then start your own shop. I will say I love my current shop. When it was slow for a couple weeks during covid, the owner started towing in project from his home shop, and paid us to work on those. We were rebuilding hydraulic rams for his tractors, all sorts of crazy shit...and we specialize in European lol.
Hey Charles, glad to see another video on this! I have always enjoyed your Tech related videos - they have given some good guidance throughout my career. My parents were devastated when I took on an apprenticeship at a VW dealer instead of doing Engineering at University 😂 I wouldn't change my mind if I had the choice a second time over! I've had an amasing journey (with its ups and downs) in the Dealership world. I worked my way up and now do Product support at importer level. Direct contact with the manufacturer and regular trips to Germany - life is good! You get out what you put in, in the motor industry. No one is going to hand you anything on a silver platter!
This rings true for so many different industry's too. I've been in IT for almost 20 years and sometimes have questioned what I've been doing due to frustrations, etc. The point to keep learning is absolutely essential to keep up with technology. Making good connections/relationships is also key to being successful. Keep doing that and you will see yourself advance in your industry. A lot of work, but the past 2 years has been the best for me.
I work in a tech company as a product manager and try trades like being a mechanic. I want to get experience in a completely different sector. I don't know how much level risk is this :)
a LOT of people feel that way. I have so much respect and admiration for folks that do what's right for them. Even if it means leaving an industry that needs all the great people it can get. Good on ya man!
@@isaakwilson2727That's what I'm trying to do, I'd rather be a diesel technician than a automotive technician cause from what I'm seeing in my area a Diesel Tech starts off at 30 an hr and this isn't flag nor flat rate this is PURELY hourly pay. I hav e the experience but I dony have any diesel tech certifications in till I attend my local college diesel tech course so right now I'm working and saving up money to attend that course
I love the part of fixing something and helping someone out of a jam. That is what keeps me learning and keeping up with the modern stuff going on now.
Modern stuff is fun to learn because it’s not just a new challenge but it’s also just a modification of other components, then figuring out that puzzle is the fun part.
There's a lot of shops looking for mechanics in my area, and they're advertising that you can make x amount to almost double x amount...when you advertise that mechanics can make 60ish-149 k but anybody can go talk to your mechanics and find out they aren't even making 45 a year I think we have found the real reason why most people don't want to be mechanics. if a shop guaranteed me 120 a year for 50 hours a week I'd take the job in a heartbeat when mechanics tell me they work up to 60 hours a week and aren't making as much as a school bus driver who works 36 hours a week, gets tons of time off, and collects unemployment in the summer...it's hard to stomach. Maybe when the industry makes the turn to total honesty (for both mechanics and customers) people will be more apt to take the job.
@@LostDrifter361 You missed the point completely. It isn't the type of work it's the complete dishonesty about the pay, it's the fact that with the dishonesty about the pay comes with almost universally bad management, angry customers, expensive tools that have not become any cheaper as their quality declines. It's the chance that your bad management fires you on Friday, tells you on Monday, holds your last check and your tools and until you agree that you made less on that last check than you really did, I mean this just isn't sustainable. It isn't the mechanics fault that plastics and rubber degrades over time or that even the best techs may have to replace parts in order to further diagnose issues, it isn't the mechanics fault that it takes SEVERAL hours to properly diagnose issues but are only give 15 minutes- 1 hour to do it. We didn't cause the decline in parts quality or the increase in cost for those parts...and with all this the customer expects us to do the same work for less money even as inflation continues to climb. I was just using the dishonest hiring practices as a single example. But I think it's far better to work for yourself and find smaller business looking to outsource their mechanic needs than it is to work for a shop. If you understand diesels than look for a bus company or small fleet with good ownership to contract for. But it's just sad that dealerships and shops expect the mechanic to bare the weight of the changing industry when they should instead be holding tool and parts manufacturers to the fire.
@@LostDrifter361Still a heavy equipment operator will still make more money sitting atop a piece of equipment than a mechanic that owns a truckload of tools and crawls underneath it.
Your video is so timely. Regardless of profession or trade, as you so perfectly stated, it is your happiness that counts. As a pharmacist in Canada, the principles you stated sound so true for those entering in and working within pharmacy. What I heard - Corporate support and technical expertise may not bridge the path to happiness, so move on from job A to job B or onto another career. No one can / will / has the right to judge you. Really enjoy your content and philosophy!
Leaving the trade was the best decision I’ve made. I did almost 10 years at a dealership, I now work as a shift manager+sales at a local family owned car/truck parts center. We get paid salary plus commission which is guaranteed since we supply to fleets and dealerships and it far exceeds what I was making as a tech. There’s the added bonus of working in a climate controlled environment and no need to buy tools and do online courses on my own time it was a no brainer move. Still work on cars as a side hustle.
So basically you are not cut out for mechanics as a career so you got a better paying job with less stress and you now benefit in making that side cash from your experience as a mechanic. Got it. Thats awesome
@@user-fc9iq6le2ghe did 10 years he already made a career out of it and left imagine trying to talk down to someone leaving a dieing field because your feelings are hurt
I'm in college taking electric and autonomous vehicles program. I'm a senior now. The biggest challenge so far is the computer programming and coding classes i had to take. The industry is going to continue in this complicated manner but i love learning and collecting tools, I'm having fun. I do got to say though that apprenticeships out here are seriously lacking and the manufacturer sponsored programs at colleges are also scarce.
This was such a breath of fresh air, very well summed up video and you touched on a lot of points, I'm a young tech of 6 years and have been thinking of all of these things and agree entirely with the good/ bad mentioned. Times can be both stressful and extremely rewarding but bottom line is its never ALWAYS sunshine and roses. Have to really have your heart and mind into this trade to continue and strive to be better
Was in the dealer network for 23 years, the last one for 12. I took a very large pay cut to leave the dealer for a public sector job. Now I am hourly, better benefits, more PTO, better retirement and best of all I do not get beat up from all ends day in and day out. If someone wants to be a mechanic, I always tell them go to a really niche high end or performance shop and get to work on cool stuff all day or go public sector with more options in the long term. The dealer landscape is changing and I do not think in a good way.
Don`t forget to mention that no matter how clean you work, gloves ect. You will always be a bit dirty all the time. Every fluid will eventually find it`s way down your arm into your shirt and other worse places. But it`s just part of the job. I was a technician for over 10 years and never really complained at least not that much. Now I work the parts counter at a local dealership. Pay isn`t as good but still making a descent living.
Here in the UK we are also expected to have our own tools. Having worked (42 years) for dealer, non dealer and body shops doing mechanical, electrical and trim I have amassed a very large tool kit. It is constantly growing with the different fasteners and so on that keep being introduced! I have generally enjoyed it but my body is complaining more these days. Money for me has not been the best but that was the trade off for a happier work environment. Great video as always Charles.
Been a Mercedes-Benz tech for 7 years now and I think that if you’re at a dealership that helps you grow then you will be a pretty successful technician and it’s an awesome feeling waking up every morning knowing that you love what you do and love where you work. HOWEVER.. things have gotten significantly harder to diagnose and fix due to all the new technologies and electric vehicles . Hopefully things change in the future so that we can possibly be salary or hourly instead of flat rate since I don’t see how we are going to be making time with these new cars ..
Just as a VW technician ,I have been learning through your guides and I just face one challenge pack of jobs and enough tools but all in all I appreciate.....looking forward to visit you one day.
@@HumbleMechanic I feel you bro and thanks to you and your channel. You’ve been a heavy inspiration to me taking the plunge into working on my own vehicles. Know 8 years in and I’ve come a long way but still have a long way to go.
As a foremen at a busy Vw dealer. Yes, absolutely, it is still worth it. Find a dealer who grows their techs if your just starting out. We grow through our service express program, then move you into the VW Apprentice program, then work along side other knowledgeable techs while you grow and gain more knowledge.
As much I like turning wrenches, I would never like to be a master technician, I’ve seen it happen on my last shop and the guy could not catch a break, almost every 10 minutes he had someone coming up to him asking him questions, even on his days off they would constantly call him, he was so mad one time because he was out hunting with his son and couldn’t enjoy it peacefully due to the shop calling him back to back. Asfter seeing that I rather just keep doing what I’m doing and keep it pushing
@@TMH792 Somebody who might need to call emergency services? IDK, even if the shop is burning down it's probably somebody else's job. Block those numbers for the day if they can't go without him on his day off.
You only hurt yourself by not getting all the education you can. Smart phones have the option to block certain calls. I suggest you learn how to use it when you become a mastsr tech If your employer says youre fired for not answering on your day off or your friend, family coworker calls you on your day off on your vacation on a day where you dont plan to turn a wrench...........its your fault for not nutting up and telling them to leave you alone. If youre that good at your job.......they will back off
On the day this video was uploaded I turned 22. I started my LV apprenticeship (Australia) in May I've personally enjoyed it so far. Before I applied for the apprenticeship I put so much thought into it and watch heaps of videos like this one. Knowing what lerned I still got the apprenticeship and I dont regret it. I get paid as a mature age apprentice so the wages aren't terrible but my bills are paid and I eat food so I'm fine.
I’m no technician, but this is 100% relatable in the medical industry. Compared to the early 2000’s, we now make about 1/3 of what we used to. Demand and clinic burden has skyrocketed, but reimbursement has gone down so much over the years that many people are not becoming specialized physicians b/c it’s just not worth the burnout and time away from family.
@@LostDrifter361 oh yeah, travel is definitely unique in that aspect. if you are at a point in your life and you can freaking do it, you can make a years salary in three months time
Great advice across the board, but in particular about training. The Automotive field is changing at an incredible pace. As a technician, you either scratch and claw for every training opportunity you can get - or don’t be surprised when the industry passes you by. And this is true for any technology field. You have to take an interest in learning new technology. There’s an incredible amount of free/cheap info online about the core technologies like CAN, LIN, OBD2, etc. that are not brand-specific.
@HumbleMechanic this was a very well thought out video, I like how when it comes to the field you are unbiased in your opinions on these topics bi personally love the automotive field and being a VW tech. Do I think I should be making more for what I do? Sure. But at the end of the day, even dealing with crap or at times the negative vibes, I still get satisfaction from fixing cars.
Not a car mechanic but as a service engineer can absolutely relate about the feelings of earning and re-paying customer's trust, you feel good when there are a number of other people available but a customer wants you to deal with their issue. But it can also work against you if you're not able to detach from the issue at times and think like a boss 😎 👍
14:18 I hate to break it to you, but she wasn't crying because her car broke down. She was crying because the dealership was charging her an arm and a leg to fix it 😂
Great video, thanks for your insight and honesty. Many of the issues you mentioned are also affecting other industries and services. Greed is rampant in America.
@@HumbleMechanicI wanna say I graduated UTI around Oct/Nov ‘03, started VW shortly after, Graduated Mar/Apr ‘04. Got hired at a dealership in Dallas, and ended up in Austin… Now I’ve gone full circle, I’m a UTI instructor now.
Great video, really makes me think. I have been retired for 7 years now after 47 years at VW/Audi dealership and also when we had Porsche as well, I was factory trained in all 3. Was good in the 70’s,80’s and 90’s, but then they didn’t pay well and some technicians left. Before retirement I certainly was the senior tech but would get all the diagnosis on warranty cars and was losing time and money, not to mention getting every Vanogon, Eurovan, and worse Rialto’s. So it is hard if I would do it again. Maybe having my own shop and passing knowledge to a younger tech would be more satisfying.
100% not worth it. Most people in this industry have no clue what they're doing and management is always a shit show. It's hard for me to find any positives in this career after 10yrs. I think the worst part for me is you can never get good at anything because once you get good at it, it changes.
I’m 5 years in professionally I’m getting burnt out got a bad back with a metal cage in it In Serious tool debt and a family of 4 to support I can’t stop
Hey Charles, great topic to discuss. Personally, I've been in the automotive industry for 44 years. Just like you, I've worked in dealerships, specifically for Mercedes-Benz and BMW. I eventually worked my way up to doing roadside assistance for Mercedes-Benz. However, I found myself wanting a little more out of my career, and an opportunity came up to work for Snap-on Tech Systems. Initially, I felt like the industry knew more than I did, but in reality, it was the other way around. You never really leave the automotive industry; you just get recycled. As I moved on to Federal-Mogul, I realized this even more. Just like you, I hold an ASE Master Tech certification, Parts Specialist certification, Service Consultant certification, and now an EV Electrical Awareness Safety certification. I can physically walk around and ask 10 shops the same question and get 10 different answers, even though they all perform the same service. This highlights a big issue in our industry: we need to start with education. The point I'm trying to make is that there are many parts of the automotive industry you can be involved in; you don't need to be turning wrenches all the time. I believe the next chapter of my life is to write about my experiences with shop owners and techs so they can learn from some of the opportunities and pitfalls in this industry
Fuck nooooo i regret it so much I shouldve jusy put 4 yrs into a bachelors and I would’ve been wayyy better off now at 31. Health science or tech is the way to go fellas, STEM jobs are the way! NOT BULLSHIT FLAT RATE DEALER LIFE.
@@SSGKvsh You've heard correctly, going into IT is the worst thing anyone can do especially due to AI and high interest rates. Consider bee-keeping or farming potatoes before thinking about coding.
I got in the industry in 2018 after watching your Tesla video. I was already in aviation in the Army when I got out I was considering automotive and your video sold me. I never went to trade school and now and gladly making $35 flat rate with a 40 hour guarantee. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday. Now it’s been a long road I’ve worked 60+ hours a week for several years until my networking with different lead techs to get this job I have now. Sometimes you gotta put up with BS until you find a good job.
At BMW right now, being a mid-level tech is where it’s at. Sure they make five bucks an hour less, but they make double the hours of us master tachs that have to diagnose all the electric cars. Some of the fast techs make bigger paychecks than some of the master techs
Planning on going to uti but seeing all these videos I didn’t even expect for to be up plus all the negativity about uti I’m getting kinda scared but at the same time I think I can commit 3 years as a tech and do other stuff along the way at the end of the day I think I just wanna make my bmw faster lol
I went to UTI and then STEP. If could do it over again I would have gone to a community college. it would have been way cheaper and the same results. BMW is so desperate for new techs that they will take you with a comm college degree in automotive technology. I’m still paying off my student loans from UTI. Just find a dealer with a good apprenticeship program that will send you to training regularly.
@@I85-Filmsand if you wanna make your bmw faster get a good job that pays a lot and do all the research you want on the internet. Shit there are even in-depth tutorials on LS swapping E90s. If you wanna go fast it’s all out there
I really enjoy channels like this because it’s free education for me, saves me money doing my own stuff, but keeps it so I’m not doing it everyday, starting out not being able to afford to live doing this.
Ive been a tech 28 years. i make over $200,000 a year the last 5 or 6 years. Theres money to be made if your good and want to work. Problem is too many guys think they are owed something or dont want to work then complain they dont make enough bring down everyone around them. Your attitude is your deciding factor on your success.
Very true, I’m a young technician. I’m an ASE and GM Master tech. I’ve been in the game for 6 years started when I was 19 changing tires. I cleared 120k last year and Im planning on clearing more this year. I’ve invested every $ into my tools and I never stop learning. I hate hearing people say theirs no money in this industry
Thank you Charles for this, it is so applicable to so many people in any trade. As a professional driver I considered a lot of what you said to be very helpful. Thank you again, keep doing the great work you do!
This is a great video! Whether or not its worth it to become a tech in 2024 truly depends on the individual. Not everyone is the right fit for the job, and definitely not every tech is the right fit for every shop. You're helping new techs make good decisions and setting the expectation for the industry. I'll be showing this video to new students in our program to generate conversation and help them decide if automotive is the right path for them.
No it is not - 20 yr old tech here I’ve been at multiple shops (2yrs of “professional” exp but more like 5yrs experience) trying to move up and get a pay raise. These old guys want all the money , they won’t train you because it creates competition for easy jobs that make money. Shops will abuse the cash cow and give them all the work to get paid as quick as they can just so your boss can go buy another fucking truck he gets to ride around in. I regret investing almost 10k in tools just to patch fucking tires. Work on your own stuff screw these shops
A huge advantage to becoming a mechanic right now is with only shopping there are so many great tool brands and options, so you arent forced to buy only from tool trucks. Also I did automotive for three years before switching to heavy duty. I love both but way better pay to be HD and most companies pay by the hour, not by the job. So i do HD for the money and srill do auto on the side as a passion
*I started working in the pit in oil change shops at 16, worked my way up to Assistant manager at a couple of them. Then left to take a lube tech/mechanic trainee position at a Midas shop, and was licensed/certified about 2 years later.* *That was about 21 years ago and I have regretted not taking something more seriously that one of the old guys there, told me at the time. “Why would you want to do this? Mechanics don’t retire, they die!”*
Same story here like everyone. Stick in learn as much as you can strive for perfection and set yourself into ownership and working for yourself and pick and choose work you want to do. I have made dealers and shops more money over the years while I squeak by and just made enough to live but wasn't homeless or car less may have had older vehicles but saved and finally got into my own shop happy now working alone but still demanding because there's so much work out there. I keep update and still lack time for vacations but when I get away I am ready to be back at work after 3 days off and still working from the phone but ready to be at work.
I was an Aircraft mechanic years ago. Its a amazing hobby I don’t know about doing it for someone else I have been in service writing and lost all my guys shop refused to pay better hr/wages and warranties screwed them 2-3times a week no thanks I had a Senior tech he was badass he was able to trace wire issues on mercedes when he left for better pay I was not able to write up any BMW/Mercs anymore he was my euro expert shop loss thousands a day🤮🤮🤮 got scouted by a factory because my background and left.
As I live in Sweden where businesses have to provide all tools and equipment required to do the job they hire you for I'll never get used to hearing that Americans have to buy their own tools for a job they're employed to do, I really don't get that one to be honest.
I am a network engineer by day (sit on a keyboard and clack away most of the day), and I am a mechanic by night. I love my network engineering job as well. When I ran it as a business until last year (I had a stroke) I made more money doing mobile diagnostics, programming and mechanical repairs than I did as a Network Engineer. I have shut down my mechanic business now, and i help people with complex repairs on there old rusty beater with a heater, that would take too much labor to fix (it normally exceeds the value of the car). I fix them and they pay me for parts and a little towards my tools and supplies, and I get that head rebuilt after the timing belt failed or whatever and get there grocery getter going again. I love it and it makes great videos. People need honest good help, and if they trust you the will pay you more than they will pay a shop to fix it. I don't work on Euros though.
$55k a year? Thats obscene, converted to dollars in the UK it's $36.3k average. I dont know how you can complain at that, especially since everything is so much cheaper in the states. Im an electronics engineer and I don't even make $55k (currency adjusted), not even close. Fuck man, we're under paid here. 🇬🇧
Everything is not cheaper in the states. Cost of living is unbelievably high. Plus our country is the size of a continent and our states are the size of your countries. When you take our national average of wages for one career path it’s useless to try to apply and compare it to your own in the UK. Average rent per month in Massachusetts is $2500 (that’s $30,000 a year)
LOVE THIS VIDEO Volkswagen Guy. I'm an HVAC tech and we have alot of the same issues and concerns! 😊 Especially as a 20 yr old kid trying to figure your way thru. Thanks 4 giving some EXPLANATION 2 these topics!
this video came at the perfect time lol. ill start classes this august to hopefully become an automotive service technician once i graduate high school. appreciate it.
dude don't do it.. it isn't worth it man.. I learned the hard way and so have many others I personally know.. It is hard on your body, it's very stressful, and the money is not enough at nearly any dealer.
I went from an Audi shop to Hyundai just due to work/life balance, and shop culture changing after previous SM left. Do I like Hyundai? Absolutely not, do I love VW/Audi? Absolutely with all my heart, but I was miserable going to work, miserable at work, and happy leaving work. Now at Hyundai, I’m happy all the time. Changing jobs is definitely a strong consideration if the shop is toxic.
I love this video. I’m going to start my journey on becoming a mobile mechanic starting from scratch. There is a TON of money in this field if you are willing to work.
Amazing video Charles! Thanks for taking the time to deep dive into this subject. I have a 15 year old son wondering what career path he might take. I am not an automotive technician nor a mechanic but I am in 50's - so much of what you say applies to many other careers - it isn't just about the money, it's about the working environment, the culture and most importantly - the people - whether they be colleagues or customers.
I really wanted to be a mechanic but because my father was one and a good one it was expected that i be better than him. This was sixty years ago and i still enjoy playing with my cars and still relate back to what i was taught by my father. Did enjoy your segment and the rest of your shows. i have a fantastic technician how does most of the work on my VW 2009 Touareg 3lt TDI have nothing but the up most respect for him and he has saved me heaps of money and kept the car so reliable
I would totally recommend becoming a mechanic. Not only is it an industry with high demand for those willing to put the effort in, but it is very satisfying to complete projects to the best of your ability. No, it’s not easy and it requires you to constantly be educating yourself, but good things never came easy to begin with. As mentioned in the video, there are lots of shops that pay well. You just have to find your mechanic niche and capitalize on it. Cheers from Canada!
I can't really speak for anyone else but I've been wrenching professionally for 16 years and I love every minute of it. If you have the passion, don't let anyone try to talk you down. If you feel like the shop you are in is not helping you in your career goals, find another shop. Like Charles said, there are a lot of really good shops out there, it's just a matter of you finding them. Also, absolutely do not get hung up about the brand of car you are working on. If the shop is good, the skills, knowledge and experience will transfer to any other brand if decide to move on. I worked in 2 different manufacturer dealerships and I was happier at the dealership where I did not care for their cars. It sort of fed my mentality of "these cars are total pieces of junk but they break down so much, it allows me to make a good living repairing them". I was well trained and well paid at that dealership and I was able to take all that experience with me when I decided to leave as a better technician than when I rolled my toolbox into that shop.
19:55 I think this is very up to personal preference, in my case I don’t have much joy working if the car I’m working on is one I really dislike. I was at a great shop working with some car brands I didn’t care much for and I was miserable and underperforming, now I’m at a shop which has some issues but the environment is good and I’m working with the brand I love. I’m much happier now!
I just started working as a quick lube tech at a vw dealership and after about a week I had my own bay, after a month I started my apprenticeship, and I'm now finishing up that apprenticeship and working on my experience. Ev cars don't change the demand of cars needing work. If anything they help it. But the industry is definitely going through a tough time right now. I love it, but I will always take the chance to move up moving from dealership to dealership, company to company.
I have learn a lot from him I followed your instructions on changing the fuel injectors on my 2016 Tiguan r line and thank you you saved me tons of cash now my car runs beautiful
This can be a very hot button topic for folks. Let's keep it civil if we can . Thanks also to Lucas and Chris for their views. Also id love to hear yout why or why not. A simple no is good, but why is even better.
Went from automotive to heavy equipment and engine building so much happier!
heavy equip, industrial, diesel, those are probably where the greatest opportunities are. the difference between a car broke and a piece of equipment that costs 10k a day to be down in HUGE!
@@HumbleMechanicI knew I wanted to be a mechanic but I didn't know what kind
After looking ( at indeed funnily enough) I found a diesel apprenticeship program that gave you a service cart and a basic set of tools and pays while you are learning on the job
I've been doing this for a couple of years now and I still love it
@@HumbleMechanic I’m always watching your videos I love Volkswagen I just have one question where can I get a cup like that?
The parts prices are too high and labor times are too low. Fix those and mechanics will come back. Most techs are not skilled enough to really study wiring diagrams and develop test plans. These are engineer level problems now, but monkey wrench pay. This one hour diagnostic crap is a thing of the past.
If working on cars is your hobby, it won't be your hobby for long if you become a technician. It's hard to enjoy working on cars in your free time when you've already spent 8 hours working on vehicles.
This and really bad management is why I left the field. However, I have a hobby AND a job: I flip cars that look good at the right price at auctions and specialize in Subarus due to their resale value.
It’s a nice way to go from my career work to my hobby work and have it make me an additional 30-40% over my salary every year.
During the used car panic, I cleaned up and closed shop when the prices got out of hand and just did maintenance on the cars of friends, families, and the people I sold cars to.
Also finally had time to work on my own projects. lol.
True, that's the reason i decided not go for that career, i really love my hobby, i would hate for it to become a drag
I’m struggling with that right now. I haven’t worked on my project car in months
8 hours? Try 10-12 hours 6 days a week
So true, but that goes for other professions. As a CPA, I typically file tax extensions for my own return. A week of 12 hour + days and the last thing I want to see is my own finances. What little wrenching I may get to do is still work to some, but just fun for me.
Former tech here. It’s not worth it. Not even close. Make it a hobby. Pick another trade that pays much better.
being a mechanic is literally the worst trade. you have to be a mechanic, electrician, welder, fabricator, detailer and a pipe fitter all while getting exposed to toxic industrial chemicals that will 100% give you cancer only to make less than what a manager at Mcdonald's does. you have all the risk and hard work of other trades with none of the pay or benefits.
Not built for it??
@@cedricrodriguez9474 lol, the cost of tools, the warranty jobs that fuck you over, some of the unreal labor times you get paid. The industry fucks you over more ways than one… everyday. I move onto a new career after 15 years of being an automotive technician and couldn’t be happier.
@@donovansimison9336 What do you do now?
@@cedricrodriguez9474nope, I've got a brain in my skull. I'll leave the wrenching to retards. Got into for about 5 years and realized if I want to go anywhere or be happy in life to pick a different career. I spent 1000s out of pocket and loans to go back to school, best decision I ever made
My dad is 76 years old…he’s been a mechanic for over 50 years! He started in the early early 70s as a VW specialist working at a dealership in North Jersey. He eventually opened up his own shop in the early 80s and has been plugging away ever since, he’s the hardest working man I ever met. I’ll never forget holding onto the holy sh!t dash bar in his orange bug while he ripped through the gears. Even though he never became super successful, he’s built an amazing reputation and he’s always loved his shop! He’s there all the time tinkering away. He takes care of his customers and they all love him. Since he’s pushing 80, my mom is on him to close up and sell it. But we’re all worried that it might not be the best thing for him. He worked straight through all his chemo treatments last year…he’s a tough SOB. And if he does sell it, I’m gonna have to start paying for repairs! Lol. My hero! I love you Pops!
👍👍👍👍👍💯💯💯💯💯
No one in the family wants to take over the business?
Sad @@sherland2039
@@sherland2039 they saw how hard the dad worked all his life and said “nop let me find something easier”
God bless him!
Haven’t watched the video yet but as a SM ford tech for the last 10 years all I gotta say is keep it as a hobby. My back and knees hurt, I’m bald and I’m only 30. It has killed my love and joy for cars. You will make a good living though! These cars are getting harder and harder to fix and labor keeps going down.
The love of car thing is real. One that I had to carefully balance. The "ive worked on cars all day, I dont want to touch mine" is REAL!!
@@HumbleMechanic yup exactly! I use to love modding my car now I gotta force myself just to change the oil 😂 but to talk about pay more I’m also extremely lucky to be at my dealer. It’s super well managed, the parts guys are awesome and so are the service writers. I make over $200,000 a year so the money is out there you just need a good team and the right skills
Bone pain and baldness? Sounds like a diet issue.
@@HumbleMechanic I think this applies to all trade jobs. Plumbers, electricians, mechanics, cooks.... How does that saying go? Want to know the worst running car on the road, drive your mechanics car . I think these days a work life balance has resolved a little of this, but chasing the dollars is real and can equal burnout.
This is what I did. I love it as a hobby. I hated doing it day in and day out. Now I just work as the only thing techs hate more than customers. Parts department 😬
Another thing to touch on is the heat. It may not be an issue for dealer techs, I’ve never worked for a dealership, but I’ve worked in independent shops for 19 years now, a lot of people aren’t cut out for the heat. I’ve never worked in an air conditioned shop. I’ve seen people quit because of it. It’s hard and it’s something a lot of people don’t think about.
Good point. I was spoiled at an AC shop. TBH I wouldn’t work at a shop with no ac.
I think that goes with the work environment he mentioned. Being comfortable is of utmost importance. Even how good the lighting in the shop is affects my decision to work there.
The heat off the vehicles don't help either.
Current shop doesn’t have ac, And only worked in one shop with it over 15 years. At this point of my career, I’m looking for a shop with it
I work at a dealership and it’s so freaking hot and humid it’s insane. I spend more of the day wet than dry, it was so hard and I’d go home with a headache at the beginning, but i’m getting used to it. I live in Northeast Wisconsin so winter is also really freaking bad too. We gotta layer up just to get a car, so it’s just back and forth hell all year tbh.
WHY would I ever want to be a mechanic when the Paul install option is SO AFFORDABLE?!?!
I totally missed that bullet point in the video. Dont fix cars, just call Paul!
You get what you pay for
Great point 😂
@@HumbleMechanicat least if he's out fixing other cars, he won't be bothering you in the shop so you can get some work done in peace 😂
I would come but I'm waiting for something in the mail.....
Yeah. I had a bad experience. VW dealer told me I needed a new DSG. 2013 Jetta TDI. My complaint was hesitation upon acceleration. I paid the diag fee grabbed my car and left. Went to dealer I knew was familiar with TDI. 30 minutes later fixed. Cracked charge air tube. Warrantied. Went back to other dealer got my diag fee back.
This kind of thing happens more than I wish it did. Shotgunning a transmission is always scary as a tech. I hope the tech learned from it, and im glad you got the car fixed like it should have been.
same with mine. All I needed was a timing belt replacement on a 03tdi. Went in running fine, came out not running at all. They blamed so much additional items beyond their own work. After market fuel filter (cat filter) metal skid plate (for some reason). Took it to a mechanic who looked at it, the timing was off, they did not use any tools to lock items down, just took the belt off, then back on. Locked the 3 points down, installed the belt, put items back together and huh, started within a few seconds.
This video came at the right time. Ive been a toyota tech at the same dealer for over 9 years, completed my apprenticeship in canada and became a journeyman. This is the only dealership ive ever known, and after getting mistreated by management for a couple years i decided to take a leap to another dealer and product manufacturer. I start on Tuesday and have been extremely nervous about it. This gave me assurance ive more than likely made the right move. Thank you! 🙏🏽
I left being a dealer tech 23 years ago, since then I’ve averaged $75-85k for the first ten years, $75-124k ten years after that and now making $145-165k for the last 3 years. All that by just being a union truck driver. $14 an hour into my pension and 100% employer paid medical/benefits. Best move I ever made.
the only question, how much are you away from home ;)
@@TimberjagiDepending on the wife.... Too much / too little 😂
Depends on what u call home
@@Timberjagi I’m actually a local driver and home everyday. Occasionally I’ll cover some vacation relief for the over the road guys and see the country for 4-5 days for a change of scenery for the week.
Getting a union job changes everything. If more people understood that, we'd have a lot more people in unions. They had to move most manufacturing work oversees to break the unions the first time. If today's generation of organizers can organize service workers, they won't be able to do it again.
I started my career as a Toyota technician and moved to independent couple years later. Did that for close to 10 years and finally moved on to Heavy duty fleet technician. Ive been a hd mechanic for 12 years and by far my home life has been improved greatly. I recommend anyone looking to get into the trade go fleet medium duty/ Heavy duty. Better pay benefits/retirement. Better home life as your work schedule usually is a 8hr day instead of 10hrs.
I was a self employed mobile mechanic for 15 years, I was working anywhere between 18 and 20 hours a day, 6 days a week. Long hours, but the pay was really good, and everything was a write off. Put all my kids through college without an ounce of debt on any ones part. I then moved on to a mom and pop shop, and HATED it, absolutely hated it.
I was finally approached by a friend who wanted to star a restoration business, he asked me to be his mechanical, engine and metal fabricator guy. So I took it.
LOVE IT!
Now I build them instead of fixing them. I get overtime and benefits. And we do enough business that he hired a helper for me. And I make bank. I've always been into restoration, done a few of them on my own through the years, but to get paid to do it, is just awesome.
The downside of it, is that people now have unrealistic expectations of how long it takes and how much it costs.
And this industry will chew you up and spit you out, it takes a special kind of crazy to get into restoration.
I was trying to get into Automotive first then from there go to Diesel/Fleet for long term
Been a diesel tech for 13 years now. Always pushed and was very vocal about getting any extra training I could get. Worked for quite a few different dealers/distributors, completed 100’s of hours of online training from multiple manufacturers. Started 2.5 years ago with my current shop, training finally paid off and was recognized by starting me out $10/hr more than the previous one. A little over a year in, got promoted to shop lead, still turning wrenches and also getting to do a lot of custom work as well, and my hourly pay is almost another $10/hr over my starting wages. But to get to this point, I dealt with the crappy management, coworkers, environment, all of the negative aspects.
For every bad mechanic story, I have two about customers.
Your average pay claim is total BS. Yes, there are a few who do well. My experience is that every garage has one golden boy they feed and all the rest are on their own.
Twenty-five years in the field, ten year shop owner. Getting out of the field was the best choice of my life.
No, his claim on salary is about right.
In shops that have that golden boy.....its your own fault for staying their if they dont want to fix that issue. The video didnt mention specifics but it mentions to not stay in a crappy environment. You just described a crappy environment. So its your fault for being there.
And he mentioned that the environment you are looking for maybe be miles away or at a different make than you like.
And as a shop owner.......you apparently suck at it. There was your opportunity to fix what you experienced as a tech.....yet......what happened, that you say leaving it was the best thing?
To me, you just show you were not cut out for this field.
@@user-fc9iq6le2g After being a small business owner for over ten years (let's see you do as well) my wife of two decades was diagnosed wit breast cancer. This was during the real estate market crash of 2006. I had to choose between my wife's medical bills or keeping my business alive. Maybe next time you comment you should try to be less judgemental. Karma can be a bitch.
@@ravenrock541really sorry about that man. life can suck. hope things are better for you now.
Man come work where i work its all put on the board divided up by tech level A B and C
@thedude4762 Then you got a good company, that's rare
I honestly believe that if you happen to be a mechanic in life is because that life chose you. Either inherited or you just happened to have that special click that makes you good at it. Not everyone can fix something without RUclips.
That trick with the pry bar to hold the exhaust pipe 😎👌
Funny enough, that is in the VW repair manual. HAHA I was like "Wish id had know that years ago" HAHA So simple yet so good
I was thinking the same thing, haha.
time stamp should be mandatory
My son is contemplating this question at this very moment. THANK YOU for making this video.
Best of luck to him. Id highly recommend he find the positive sources to get insight from. You can easily find the bad. the good takes work, but it's out there.
I will add "Don't be afraid of (or to learn) electronics". It is a major part of every car nowadays. Not being afraid to test/repair/cut wires and sensors is important.
Nothing to me is worse than hearing "These cars nowadays with the computers make them impossible to work on". IMHO...once you know the ins/outs of testing and diagnostics of the electrical components you may realize that it is actually easier at times to find the issue. There are safety considerations to keep in mind (especially with some of the hybrid/EV battery packs) but otherwise it is a lot less complex than it may seem. Just like mechanical...break it down into systems.
This information just improves your overall skill set and options in life.
My interest in automotive and electronics is what allowed me to look at 3d printers in 2011 and say "I can do that" which has influenced my career path today. As Charles mentioned....you have a skill set that is valuable. You can roll your toolbox to another shop or even industry.
i started as a tech 6 months ago. before that i was IT for 4 years. the amount that has helped me in this career is invaluable
@@jacob07221 The programmers I personally know who also do car work make the coolest stuff. One guy made an arduino based CAN connected device which simply turned off the traction control and set all his settings when he started the car. Eliminating the need to push the buttons every time.
The overlap between fields is always where the cool stuff happens.
Knowing how to navigate the computer systems is really a valuable skill as well.
As a car audio tech this one gets me. I don't know why dealer techs hate electrical, it's science not voodoo. Performance shop techs seem way better, but dealer techs just look for any aftermarket equipment and are quick to blame it and hope the car just goes away.
I just bought the book how to diagnose and repair automotive electrical systems. I’m making it my mission to be a master at diagnosing electrical issues
I started my mechanic career as a self taught guy as a fleet mechanic at medium sized cities parks department. It paid ok for the time but I’m sure I could make more elsewhere. I decided that wrenching every day was killing my love for cars. After a few detours into other jobs I ended up in quality control in automotive manufacturing! Love it! Pays well, and satisfies my OCD. I do work on cars on the side and spent a large portion of the pandemic buying broken cars on FB marketplace, fixing them and flipping them.
How did you get into automotive QC?
@@EvanShowsMTB I started in logistics (forklift ect) at the company I work for as a temp/entry level position, went full time, when a quality position opened up I applied/tested/interviewed and got promoted. The company I’m with is big on promotion from within and on-the-job-training/learning, you don’t need a college degree to easily make well over 100k here. Take the chance, be curious and learn everything you can and you can go far in this industry.
Great video Charles as always! Thanks for having me share my opinion.
Is it worth it? Yes BUT everyone’s experiences are different because there are unfortunately really good shops to work for and really bad shops to work at.
As you mentioned there are many factors that go into this conversation.
1. Work culture is huge
2. Work life balance is a massive factor
3. Pay
4. Flat rate must die
These are the top 4 things I hear personally hear talking to techs every single day.
You can have all of these things IF you find a great shop and yes they are out there and there are more and more making changes and improving.
If you are at a crappy shop. Dont stay around. Make a change. Get treated like you deserve and get paid what you deserve.
Best statement you said as well is 100% is it’s all on you.
Thank you so much Chris! I appreciate how hard you work to make this industry better. It's one of those goals that will never have a finish line.
As someone who recently got into the industry I think you hit the nail on the head with this video. I wholeheartedly agree with all of the points you made and think they are great advice for new techs.
For background, I just graduated from tech school at my local community college about 3 months ago and have been working at a dealership for almost 2 years now. I started my career at my local Honda dealership because I was super into Hondas at the time but over the year and a half I was there had a pretty bad experience overall (basically non-existent apprenticeship program, terrible management, and tons of drama in the shop). Unfortunately I was too scared to leave and ultimately got fired over a mistake I made (in large part due to how stressed i was there). Luckily my local ford dealership was willing to take a chance on me and it has been an absolutely amazing change of scenery. I am finally in a position where I feel like I am actually learning and growing as a technician while also having the luxury of working with an experienced tech who I can ask questions to when I am unsure. I still have a long way to go but everyday I am growing in my confidence as a tech and that has been such a rewarding experience.
Being a dealer tech sucks. The better you get, the less money you make because warranty times are designed to screw you over. Being a tech for a indie shop or a specialized shop for a specific brand it great though, since they get the “gravy” like brakes and whatnot.
Also don’t do it if you already liked working on cars, because it destroys the hobby for you. I haven’t touched my golf in weeks.
@@13vex as a former tech for ford this is absolutely true. And from what my friends and other techs say it doesn’t matter the brand it is brutal
I love my job in fleet on class 8 trucks and trailers I guess that’s because there’s not customers being “waiters” AND we don’t do warranty so we don’t workers about that at all.
Also we don’t have SRTs (standard repair times) are we watched enough so we don’t take 6 hours on a 3 hour job? For sure.
But if we take 30-45 minutes they do not care as long as it gets fixed right the first time
The problem I think is people chase the flat rate because technically that’s were the money is by coming in under the repair time
@@Tcorellis-j6d god that sounds like a golden job. I am happy for you. Warranty was seriously 76% of my stress. If you don’t get paid flat rate do you get paid a decent hourly pay? I know 20$ per hour wouldn’t pay the tool trucks off
Fleet is nice I was in fleet before I left the industry for good I had a great experience but the pay wasn’t worth the commute
This is full fraud!They don't have A,B,C shop rates and YOU CANNOT CHARGE A PREMIUM PRICE THEN SUBSTITUTE AN INFERIOR PRODUCT OR SERVICE.EVERY DEALER U.S.A. NOW!IF A CUSTOMER IS PAYING $200 AN HOUR THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE A WELL PAID GERMAN ROCKET SCIENTIST REPAIR THEIR EXPENSIVE VEHICLES!NOT SOME AT-RISK YOUTH ON A GOVERNMENT TRAINING PROGRAM.THEY ONLY HAVE SHORTAGES OF DUMB AND CHEAP!"Dealers need to look at lower skill level technicians. There are several benefits: They’re a lot easier to steal from somebody else and they make you more money because they have a lower cost. You hire an A mechanic at $25 an hour, a C for $15 an hour, and your labor rate is $75 an hour. So you’re paying $25 to get $75 or paying $15 to get $75.”
One HUGE factor that you touched on is co-workers, ESPECIALLY those in mentor / apprentice positions. Be careful who you get to “help” you. In the technician’s world, on flat rate at least, it’s dog eat dog. Techs want other techs to fail so they can make more money and get better jobs fed to them. I started out at an Audi dealer as a tech and the guy that was “training” me dismissed my questions and always seemed irritated when I asked about things, and laughed at me when I would screw up. I remember the first time I did spark plugs on a D3 A8 W12, it was taking me a while to figure everything out cause the entire upper intake manifold has to come off for that job. I could hear across the shop one of the other guys somewhat quietly joke to his buddy “come on it’s just spark plugs”. Imagine how that made me feel, like garbage.
Great video, thank you for making this. I was an Audi dealer tech for 5 years, then a fleet tech at a municipality for another 5 years. Did some other jobs such as parts dept, auto insurance adjuster, class B truck driver, now a year ago I just got into quality control in manufacturing for one of the big OEMs, and am happy to be out of wrenching. You are right, it is not for everyone and I did feel like a failure when I left, but am a lot happier now and making a lot more money with better benefits and better working conditions.
Your story is the same as mine when I started as a diesel mechanic. My trainee told me after I introduced myself I hate training new guys and it only slows me down. I was the only guy to make it through training with this prick. It was like working with Jekyll and Hyde and he would always dismiss my questions and if he messed up something he would blame me.
This is a big reason shops have huge turnover.
surprisingly the shops i’ve worked in people are friendly enough to help you but also will watch you mess up when they could’ve warned you about something you didn’t know… however it’s becoming to a point of knocking them out to get the next best ticket and consciously i can’t recommend every small nitpicking thing because customers don’t deserve that. I’m looking at different trades or even career paths but I’m only 2-3 years with shop experience and I already see how it’s going to go for me
To add to the "arent you a master technician..." When you are at the top, when theres new technology, such as a completely redesigned engine, its up to you to figure it out. Theres service info and thats it. No one to call, no one around to lean on. Can become stressful. I welcome it in small pieces but it can wear you down. I recently replaced a cylinder head on a new style vehicle I hadn't even driven yet. But youre supposed to know everything... Uhg
The dealer will never ask you to figure out a brand new car with out support😂
The best position isn’t master tech it’s being the guy that other shops send customers too or customers tell their freinds about you. Thats the prize
Techline and engineers be like "Call us when you figure it out and here's 5 tenths" Field service engineers won't come around here because if they can't diagnose it in 3 tenths they get thrown in the dumpster out back.
I have been paid several hours to diagnose difficult electrical problems in the past by several different manufacturers.All of a sudden they are running 100 different modules and several million lines of code in the operating software and I am expected to do it for free.THEY ARE CRIMINALS AND IT'S ALL FRAUD NOW!
Why get all master certified to do free warranty work when the little kids suck brake jobs and flushes?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my perspective!
Our industry is a better place because of you, sir!
For anyone just graduating high school or still in their early 20s, i encourage to go to community college and do the auto program, dont go to uti, and learn the basics and theory. work on a independent shop and/or dealership for a few years and then change careers because the amount of knowledge, experience and investment, aint worth it in pay compared to the other trades like electrician or etc in the long run. once you are able to switch trades, youll be a better worker compared others due to how much knowledge you need to be an auto tech. I wish auto techs are better paid or if this whole system changes.
Indy shop I was a worked for had 3/12s. Open Mon-Saturday, so 2 crews on an A/B schedule. The techs having 4 days off a week was a huge morale booster. They used to joke that they worked a half-day. Customers loved the early/late schedules and especially jobs that could be turned around on a Saturday. Owner sold it to someone who just added it to his business portfolio. New owner took the structure everyone loved, put into a box with all of the business's common sense, and kicked it off a cliff.
As someone who fixes equipment for a living, it's awesome to fix your own stuff, but I definitely wouldn't recommend doing it for a living. Constantly having to beat book time really eats away at my perfectionist personality, whereas fixing my own stuff I couldn't care less if it takes me twice book time because I know it's being done right.
Not to mention how many times I see something that really needs to be taken care of before it becomes a problem and yet the customer doesn't want to fix it until it's broke and gets *really* expensive.
It’s paid all my bills and beyond but I cannot in good conscience recommend this industry the way it currently is structured. The problems are not a secret and yet no change has been made at scale. Everyone plays but only a few win the lottery. If you must work in this industry be a service advisor, they make the same or more pay. They don’t have to buy tools or work in the heat and don’t take a physical beating.
One thing i beat into the new guys head is to buy tools first and THEN buy that $15k snap-on box. A kid got hired and bought a box the next week after for $15k. And kept asking to borrow tools. Of course after the 3rd time borrowing something i told him to buy it but he couldnt because the box payments were so high. After he left my spark plug socket set out in the rain i told him to kick rocks and now he has a giant empty box
Spent 5 years being made fun of my box at different shops. Went into something else that pays slightly more and is 1/10 the work. Box stays at home. Who's laughing now?
Man its ridiculous to buy a snap on box when HF has great prices on boxes. Its just a box to hold your tools....it doesnt need to be expensive
I work circles around my elderly coworker with $100k+snap on.
And I have the cheapest boxes you can find.
He used to poke fun til he realized I was a marathon champion literally so I could be running full tilt every hour of the work day.
The name of the game isn’t to buy tools.
It’s to make money.
Spending less on tools= making more
@@fastinradfordable Bro create a llc and make your own business. Many start with starting a mobile mechanic on their off days then scale up. Imagine very little overhead at $90 an hour.
Goddamn 15k box from the crap on truck
Don't. Tools ,bad backs missing fingers. Exposure to toxic chemicals. And no retirement. And the fact that customers expect more from you that a doctor or lawyer. This is not a career it's a death sentence. Be an engineer.
I made that mistake, & I’m looking to get out of it because it sucks. I’ve spent close to $5000 into tools, have OEM training & still getting paid $20 an hour.
more than a lawyer or a doctor? you are a block head
@@michaelbenoit248stop dude just stop
Whining about tools is ridiculous.
If your employer supplied your tools to work at their facility, for their customers....
How would you fix your own vehicle at home, if you had no tools?
How would you make side money, if you had no tools?
Youre employer is to lend you their tools?
Youre not mechanic material.......nut up or get to steppin
But dam.......stop whining about tools......you need them to do the job. And using the right tool on tje right application...helps you do that job faster and easier.
Only stupid whine about tools.....the weak whine about tools
The biggest issue is the peak salary combined with flat rate. Even really good techs are peaking at 80 to 90k, which isn't really great money, especially these days. Sure there's always those guys that flag 70/80 hours a week, the magicians; but that's not typical. If you really want to make money, and want to stay in the business, you need to specialize in a niche, Euro or whatever, or even further narrow it down, and specialize in one or two brands, then start your own shop.
I will say I love my current shop. When it was slow for a couple weeks during covid, the owner started towing in project from his home shop, and paid us to work on those. We were rebuilding hydraulic rams for his tractors, all sorts of crazy shit...and we specialize in European lol.
Hey Charles, glad to see another video on this! I have always enjoyed your Tech related videos - they have given some good guidance throughout my career.
My parents were devastated when I took on an apprenticeship at a VW dealer instead of doing Engineering at University 😂
I wouldn't change my mind if I had the choice a second time over! I've had an amasing journey (with its ups and downs) in the Dealership world.
I worked my way up and now do Product support at importer level. Direct contact with the manufacturer and regular trips to Germany - life is good!
You get out what you put in, in the motor industry. No one is going to hand you anything on a silver platter!
This rings true for so many different industry's too. I've been in IT for almost 20 years and sometimes have questioned what I've been doing due to frustrations, etc. The point to keep learning is absolutely essential to keep up with technology. Making good connections/relationships is also key to being successful. Keep doing that and you will see yourself advance in your industry. A lot of work, but the past 2 years has been the best for me.
I work in a tech company as a product manager and try trades like being a mechanic. I want to get experience in a completely different sector. I don't know how much level risk is this :)
Not at all! I’m SO HAPPY I got out of the industry!!
a LOT of people feel that way. I have so much respect and admiration for folks that do what's right for them. Even if it means leaving an industry that needs all the great people it can get. Good on ya man!
I left automotive to go to heavy duty one of the best decisions I ever made
@@isaakwilson2727same here. Reignited my passion for working on cars but still make a really good cheque wrenching on machinery
@@isaakwilson2727That's what I'm trying to do, I'd rather be a diesel technician than a automotive technician cause from what I'm seeing in my area a Diesel Tech starts off at 30 an hr and this isn't flag nor flat rate this is PURELY hourly pay. I hav e the experience but I dony have any diesel tech certifications in till I attend my local college diesel tech course so right now I'm working and saving up money to attend that course
I love the part of fixing something and helping someone out of a jam. That is what keeps me learning and keeping up with the modern stuff going on now.
Modern stuff is fun to learn because it’s not just a new challenge but it’s also just a modification of other components, then figuring out that puzzle is the fun part.
There's a lot of shops looking for mechanics in my area, and they're advertising that you can make x amount to almost double x amount...when you advertise that mechanics can make 60ish-149 k but anybody can go talk to your mechanics and find out they aren't even making 45 a year I think we have found the real reason why most people don't want to be mechanics. if a shop guaranteed me 120 a year for 50 hours a week I'd take the job in a heartbeat when mechanics tell me they work up to 60 hours a week and aren't making as much as a school bus driver who works 36 hours a week, gets tons of time off, and collects unemployment in the summer...it's hard to stomach. Maybe when the industry makes the turn to total honesty (for both mechanics and customers) people will be more apt to take the job.
Get into being a heavy equipment tech if you want to make that kind of money
@@LostDrifter361 You missed the point completely. It isn't the type of work it's the complete dishonesty about the pay, it's the fact that with the dishonesty about the pay comes with almost universally bad management, angry customers, expensive tools that have not become any cheaper as their quality declines. It's the chance that your bad management fires you on Friday, tells you on Monday, holds your last check and your tools and until you agree that you made less on that last check than you really did, I mean this just isn't sustainable. It isn't the mechanics fault that plastics and rubber degrades over time or that even the best techs may have to replace parts in order to further diagnose issues, it isn't the mechanics fault that it takes SEVERAL hours to properly diagnose issues but are only give 15 minutes- 1 hour to do it. We didn't cause the decline in parts quality or the increase in cost for those parts...and with all this the customer expects us to do the same work for less money even as inflation continues to climb. I was just using the dishonest hiring practices as a single example. But I think it's far better to work for yourself and find smaller business looking to outsource their mechanic needs than it is to work for a shop. If you understand diesels than look for a bus company or small fleet with good ownership to contract for. But it's just sad that dealerships and shops expect the mechanic to bare the weight of the changing industry when they should instead be holding tool and parts manufacturers to the fire.
Auto industry is a filthy industry.
@@LostDrifter361Still a heavy equipment operator will still make more money sitting atop a piece of equipment than a mechanic that owns a truckload of tools and crawls underneath it.
Your video is so timely.
Regardless of profession or trade, as you so perfectly stated, it is your happiness that counts.
As a pharmacist in Canada, the principles you stated sound so true for those entering in and working within pharmacy.
What I heard - Corporate support and technical expertise may not bridge the path to happiness, so move on from job A to job B or onto another career.
No one can / will / has the right to judge you.
Really enjoy your content and philosophy!
Leaving the trade was the best decision I’ve made. I did almost 10 years at a dealership, I now work as a shift manager+sales at a local family owned car/truck parts center. We get paid salary plus commission which is guaranteed since we supply to fleets and dealerships and it far exceeds what I was making as a tech. There’s the added bonus of working in a climate controlled environment and no need to buy tools and do online courses on my own time it was a no brainer move. Still work on cars as a side hustle.
So basically you are not cut out for mechanics as a career so you got a better paying job with less stress and you now benefit in making that side cash from your experience as a mechanic.
Got it. Thats awesome
@@user-fc9iq6le2gless stress and more money should be anyone’s goal
@@user-fc9iq6le2ghe did 10 years he already made a career out of it and left imagine trying to talk down to someone leaving a dieing field because your feelings are hurt
I'm in college taking electric and autonomous vehicles program. I'm a senior now. The biggest challenge so far is the computer programming and coding classes i had to take. The industry is going to continue in this complicated manner but i love learning and collecting tools, I'm having fun. I do got to say though that apprenticeships out here are seriously lacking and the manufacturer sponsored programs at colleges are also scarce.
This was such a breath of fresh air, very well summed up video and you touched on a lot of points, I'm a young tech of 6 years and have been thinking of all of these things and agree entirely with the good/ bad mentioned. Times can be both stressful and extremely rewarding but bottom line is its never ALWAYS sunshine and roses. Have to really have your heart and mind into this trade to continue and strive to be better
Was in the dealer network for 23 years, the last one for 12. I took a very large pay cut to leave the dealer for a public sector job. Now I am hourly, better benefits, more PTO, better retirement and best of all I do not get beat up from all ends day in and day out. If someone wants to be a mechanic, I always tell them go to a really niche high end or performance shop and get to work on cool stuff all day or go public sector with more options in the long term. The dealer landscape is changing and I do not think in a good way.
im young, but this sounds amazing, haha
Honestly it's good advice for any profession. The common theme is the speed of change in all industries and the need to constantly be up to date.
Don`t forget to mention that no matter how clean you work, gloves ect. You will always be a bit dirty all the time. Every fluid will eventually find it`s way down your arm into your shirt and other worse places. But it`s just part of the job. I was a technician for over 10 years and never really complained at least not that much. Now I work the parts counter at a local dealership. Pay isn`t as good but still making a descent living.
I bet you’re a hell of a parts guy since having all that mechanical experience
Here in the UK we are also expected to have our own tools. Having worked (42 years) for dealer, non dealer and body shops doing mechanical, electrical and trim I have amassed a very large tool kit.
It is constantly growing with the different fasteners and so on that keep being introduced!
I have generally enjoyed it but my body is complaining more these days. Money for me has not been the best but that was the trade off for a happier work environment.
Great video as always Charles.
Been a Mercedes-Benz tech for 7 years now and I think that if you’re at a dealership that helps you grow then you will be a pretty successful technician and it’s an awesome feeling waking up every morning knowing that you love what you do and love where you work. HOWEVER.. things have gotten significantly harder to diagnose and fix due to all the new technologies and electric vehicles . Hopefully things change in the future so that we can possibly be salary or hourly instead of flat rate since I don’t see how we are going to be making time with these new cars ..
flat rate is a scam upon the mechanics and customers
Just as a VW technician ,I have been learning through your guides and I just face one challenge pack of jobs and enough tools but all in all I appreciate.....looking forward to visit you one day.
Hell yeah granted there are plenty of headaches involved but definitely worth it overall just for having the knowledge alone.
@@nolahahnshouse3389 it is satisfying having a skill and fixing cars
It's been a good industry to me. Im thankful for that. Not everyone has the same experience.
@@HumbleMechanic I feel you bro and thanks to you and your channel. You’ve been a heavy inspiration to me taking the plunge into working on my own vehicles. Know 8 years in and I’ve come a long way but still have a long way to go.
As a foremen at a busy Vw dealer. Yes, absolutely, it is still worth it. Find a dealer who grows their techs if your just starting out. We grow through our service express program, then move you into the VW Apprentice program, then work along side other knowledgeable techs while you grow and gain more knowledge.
As much I like turning wrenches, I would never like to be a master technician, I’ve seen it happen on my last shop and the guy could not catch a break, almost every 10 minutes he had someone coming up to him asking him questions, even on his days off they would constantly call him, he was so mad one time because he was out hunting with his son and couldn’t enjoy it peacefully due to the shop calling him back to back. Asfter seeing that I rather just keep doing what I’m doing and keep it pushing
He needs healthier boundaries to say no! Leave the phone somewhere on specific days. Who brings a phone out hunting? 😅
@@TMH792yup, if I'm not on the clock, I'm not answering phone calls.
@@TMH792 Somebody who might need to call emergency services? IDK, even if the shop is burning down it's probably somebody else's job. Block those numbers for the day if they can't go without him on his day off.
Why he answer on his day off
You only hurt yourself by not getting all the education you can.
Smart phones have the option to block certain calls. I suggest you learn how to use it when you become a mastsr tech
If your employer says youre fired for not answering on your day off or your friend, family coworker calls you on your day off on your vacation on a day where you dont plan to turn a wrench...........its your fault for not nutting up and telling them to leave you alone.
If youre that good at your job.......they will back off
On the day this video was uploaded I turned 22. I started my LV apprenticeship (Australia) in May I've personally enjoyed it so far. Before I applied for the apprenticeship I put so much thought into it and watch heaps of videos like this one. Knowing what lerned I still got the apprenticeship and I dont regret it. I get paid as a mature age apprentice so the wages aren't terrible but my bills are paid and I eat food so I'm fine.
I’m no technician, but this is 100% relatable in the medical industry. Compared to the early 2000’s, we now make about 1/3 of what we used to. Demand and clinic burden has skyrocketed, but reimbursement has gone down so much over the years that many people are not becoming specialized physicians b/c it’s just not worth the burnout and time away from family.
Meanwhile i have friends that are rn’s that are killing it with travel pay
@@LostDrifter361 oh yeah, travel is definitely unique in that aspect. if you are at a point in your life and you can freaking do it, you can make a years salary in three months time
This is a business-world wide problem. Most fields are drastically underpaid for the cost of everything. I wish it were a unique problem.
Great advice across the board, but in particular about training. The Automotive field is changing at an incredible pace. As a technician, you either scratch and claw for every training opportunity you can get - or don’t be surprised when the industry passes you by.
And this is true for any technology field. You have to take an interest in learning new technology. There’s an incredible amount of free/cheap info online about the core technologies like CAN, LIN, OBD2, etc. that are not brand-specific.
I almost went into mechanics but ultimately decided to keep it a hobby. No regrets
@HumbleMechanic this was a very well thought out video, I like how when it comes to the field you are unbiased in your opinions on these topics bi personally love the automotive field and being a VW tech. Do I think I should be making more for what I do? Sure. But at the end of the day, even dealing with crap or at times the negative vibes, I still get satisfaction from fixing cars.
as long as you don’t like working in your own car and like being taken advantage of go 4 it
Not a car mechanic but as a service engineer can absolutely relate about the feelings of earning and re-paying customer's trust, you feel good when there are a number of other people available but a customer wants you to deal with their issue. But it can also work against you if you're not able to detach from the issue at times and think like a boss 😎 👍
14:18 I hate to break it to you, but she wasn't crying because her car broke down. She was crying because the dealership was charging her an arm and a leg to fix it 😂
Im sure the unknown repair bill was part of the emotions
Great video, thanks for your insight and honesty. Many of the issues you mentioned are also affecting other industries and services. Greed is rampant in America.
I also graduated UTI at Glendale Heights, IL and Volkswagen Acadamy with Hans Bach… Sounds like we were there about the same time, cheers my brother.
Hahaha nice!! I had Fitzpatrick this would be like Oct 23
@@HumbleMechanicI wanna say I graduated UTI around Oct/Nov ‘03, started VW shortly after, Graduated Mar/Apr ‘04.
Got hired at a dealership in Dallas, and ended up in Austin… Now I’ve gone full circle, I’m a UTI instructor now.
Urinary Tract Infection?
Great video, really makes me think. I have been retired for 7 years now after 47 years at VW/Audi dealership and also when we had Porsche as well, I was factory trained in all 3. Was good in the 70’s,80’s and 90’s, but then they didn’t pay well and some technicians left. Before retirement I certainly was the senior tech but would get all the diagnosis on warranty cars and was losing time and money, not to mention getting every Vanogon, Eurovan, and worse Rialto’s. So it is hard if I would do it again. Maybe having my own shop and passing knowledge to a younger tech would be more satisfying.
100% not worth it. Most people in this industry have no clue what they're doing and management is always a shit show. It's hard for me to find any positives in this career after 10yrs. I think the worst part for me is you can never get good at anything because once you get good at it, it changes.
You are 100% correct.
So much of this advice is relevant even outside the automotive repair industry. Thanks for the career advice, Charles!
I’m 5 years in professionally I’m getting burnt out got a bad back with a metal cage in it In Serious tool debt and a family of 4 to support I can’t stop
I feel you. I had back surgery 5 years into my auto technician career 2 times. Now I need knee surgery. This career wears you down!
Hey Charles, great topic to discuss. Personally, I've been in the automotive industry for 44 years. Just like you, I've worked in dealerships, specifically for Mercedes-Benz and BMW. I eventually worked my way up to doing roadside assistance for Mercedes-Benz. However, I found myself wanting a little more out of my career, and an opportunity came up to work for Snap-on Tech Systems. Initially, I felt like the industry knew more than I did, but in reality, it was the other way around. You never really leave the automotive industry; you just get recycled. As I moved on to Federal-Mogul, I realized this even more. Just like you, I hold an ASE Master Tech certification, Parts Specialist certification, Service Consultant certification, and now an EV Electrical Awareness Safety certification. I can physically walk around and ask 10 shops the same question and get 10 different answers, even though they all perform the same service. This highlights a big issue in our industry: we need to start with education. The point I'm trying to make is that there are many parts of the automotive industry you can be involved in; you don't need to be turning wrenches all the time. I believe the next chapter of my life is to write about my experiences with shop owners and techs so they can learn from some of the opportunities and pitfalls in this industry
Fuck nooooo i regret it so much I shouldve jusy put 4 yrs into a bachelors and I would’ve been wayyy better off now at 31. Health science or tech is the way to go fellas, STEM jobs are the way! NOT BULLSHIT FLAT RATE DEALER LIFE.
Tech is oversaturated from what ive heard not even worth going for anymore
@@SSGKvsh You've heard correctly, going into IT is the worst thing anyone can do especially due to AI and high interest rates. Consider bee-keeping or farming potatoes before thinking about coding.
I got in the industry in 2018 after watching your Tesla video. I was already in aviation in the Army when I got out I was considering automotive and your video sold me. I never went to trade school and now and gladly making $35 flat rate with a 40 hour guarantee. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday. Now it’s been a long road I’ve worked 60+ hours a week for several years until my networking with different lead techs to get this job I have now. Sometimes you gotta put up with BS until you find a good job.
At BMW right now, being a mid-level tech is where it’s at. Sure they make five bucks an hour less, but they make double the hours of us master tachs that have to diagnose all the electric cars. Some of the fast techs make bigger paychecks than some of the master techs
Planning on going to uti but seeing all these videos I didn’t even expect for to be up plus all the negativity about uti I’m getting kinda scared but at the same time I think I can commit 3 years as a tech and do other stuff along the way at the end of the day I think I just wanna make my bmw faster lol
I went to UTI and then STEP. If could do it over again I would have gone to a community college. it would have been way cheaper and the same results. BMW is so desperate for new techs that they will take you with a comm college degree in automotive technology. I’m still paying off my student loans from UTI. Just find a dealer with a good apprenticeship program that will send you to training regularly.
@@I85-Filmsget a job at the dealer as a lube tech show a lot a drive and interest in getting better and you’ll get moved up
@@I85-Filmsand if you wanna make your bmw faster get a good job that pays a lot and do all the research you want on the internet. Shit there are even in-depth tutorials on LS swapping E90s. If you wanna go fast it’s all out there
@@I85-Filmsdon’t go to UTI. Go to your local community college. You’ll get the same if not better education and not have schools loans to pay back.
I really enjoy channels like this because it’s free education for me, saves me money doing my own stuff, but keeps it so I’m not doing it everyday, starting out not being able to afford to live doing this.
Ive been a tech 28 years. i make over $200,000 a year the last 5 or 6 years. Theres money to be made if your good and want to work. Problem is too many guys think they are owed something or dont want to work then complain they dont make enough bring down everyone around them. Your attitude is your deciding factor on your success.
Very true, I’m a young technician. I’m an ASE and GM Master tech. I’ve been in the game for 6 years started when I was 19 changing tires. I cleared 120k last year and Im planning on clearing more this year. I’ve invested every $ into my tools and I never stop learning. I hate hearing people say theirs no money in this industry
Thank you Charles for this, it is so applicable to so many people in any trade. As a professional driver I considered a lot of what you said to be very helpful. Thank you again, keep doing the great work you do!
Wasnt worth it in 2008 and isnt worth it now. Its only worth it if you own the shop to
This is a great video! Whether or not its worth it to become a tech in 2024 truly depends on the individual. Not everyone is the right fit for the job, and definitely not every tech is the right fit for every shop. You're helping new techs make good decisions and setting the expectation for the industry. I'll be showing this video to new students in our program to generate conversation and help them decide if automotive is the right path for them.
No it is not - 20 yr old tech here I’ve been at multiple shops (2yrs of “professional” exp but more like 5yrs experience) trying to move up and get a pay raise. These old guys want all the money , they won’t train you because it creates competition for easy jobs that make money. Shops will abuse the cash cow and give them all the work to get paid as quick as they can just so your boss can go buy another fucking truck he gets to ride around in. I regret investing almost 10k in tools just to patch fucking tires. Work on your own stuff screw these shops
A huge advantage to becoming a mechanic right now is with only shopping there are so many great tool brands and options, so you arent forced to buy only from tool trucks. Also I did automotive for three years before switching to heavy duty. I love both but way better pay to be HD and most companies pay by the hour, not by the job. So i do HD for the money and srill do auto on the side as a passion
*I started working in the pit in oil change shops at 16, worked my way up to Assistant manager at a couple of them. Then left to take a lube tech/mechanic trainee position at a Midas shop, and was licensed/certified about 2 years later.*
*That was about 21 years ago and I have regretted not taking something more seriously that one of the old guys there, told me at the time. “Why would you want to do this? Mechanics don’t retire, they die!”*
Same story here like everyone. Stick in learn as much as you can strive for perfection and set yourself into ownership and working for yourself and pick and choose work you want to do. I have made dealers and shops more money over the years while I squeak by and just made enough to live but wasn't homeless or car less may have had older vehicles but saved and finally got into my own shop happy now working alone but still demanding because there's so much work out there. I keep update and still lack time for vacations but when I get away I am ready to be back at work after 3 days off and still working from the phone but ready to be at work.
Definitely no… dying industry go for paint or smash repair
I was an Aircraft mechanic years ago. Its a amazing hobby I don’t know about doing it for someone else I have been in service writing and lost all my guys shop refused to pay better hr/wages and warranties screwed them 2-3times a week no thanks I had a Senior tech he was badass he was able to trace wire issues on mercedes when he left for better pay I was not able to write up any BMW/Mercs anymore he was my euro expert shop loss thousands a day🤮🤮🤮 got scouted by a factory because my background and left.
If anyone thinks being a mechanic is worth it, this guy is 25 years old
This was such a REAL video.
You spoke about both sides, realistic views plus gave great advice. I’d highly recommend this video to a friend.
Thank you!!!
As I live in Sweden where businesses have to provide all tools and equipment required to do the job they hire you for I'll never get used to hearing that Americans have to buy their own tools for a job they're employed to do, I really don't get that one to be honest.
I am a network engineer by day (sit on a keyboard and clack away most of the day), and I am a mechanic by night. I love my network engineering job as well. When I ran it as a business until last year (I had a stroke) I made more money doing mobile diagnostics, programming and mechanical repairs than I did as a Network Engineer. I have shut down my mechanic business now, and i help people with complex repairs on there old rusty beater with a heater, that would take too much labor to fix (it normally exceeds the value of the car). I fix them and they pay me for parts and a little towards my tools and supplies, and I get that head rebuilt after the timing belt failed or whatever and get there grocery getter going again. I love it and it makes great videos. People need honest good help, and if they trust you the will pay you more than they will pay a shop to fix it. I don't work on Euros though.
$55k a year? Thats obscene, converted to dollars in the UK it's $36.3k average.
I dont know how you can complain at that, especially since everything is so much cheaper in the states.
Im an electronics engineer and I don't even make $55k (currency adjusted), not even close.
Fuck man, we're under paid here. 🇬🇧
Everything is not cheaper in the states. Cost of living is unbelievably high. Plus our country is the size of a continent and our states are the size of your countries. When you take our national average of wages for one career path it’s useless to try to apply and compare it to your own in the UK. Average rent per month in Massachusetts is $2500 (that’s $30,000 a year)
You must not of heard from the word inflation the last handful of years
LOVE THIS VIDEO Volkswagen Guy. I'm an HVAC tech and we have alot of the same issues and concerns! 😊 Especially as a 20 yr old kid trying to figure your way thru. Thanks 4 giving some EXPLANATION 2 these topics!
Short answer: no.
this video came at the perfect time lol. ill start classes this august to hopefully become an automotive service technician once i graduate high school. appreciate it.
dude don't do it.. it isn't worth it man.. I learned the hard way and so have many others I personally know.. It is hard on your body, it's very stressful, and the money is not enough at nearly any dealer.
answer is No. now you dont have to finish the video
THM is my favorite channel. Thanks for sharing
thank you
I went from an Audi shop to Hyundai just due to work/life balance, and shop culture changing after previous SM left.
Do I like Hyundai? Absolutely not, do I love VW/Audi? Absolutely with all my heart, but I was miserable going to work, miserable at work, and happy leaving work.
Now at Hyundai, I’m happy all the time.
Changing jobs is definitely a strong consideration if the shop is toxic.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!!!
You hit on the nail!
❤
I love this video. I’m going to start my journey on becoming a mobile mechanic starting from scratch. There is a TON of money in this field if you are willing to work.
Correct, I make well over 250k net yearly with just me
Amazing video Charles! Thanks for taking the time to deep dive into this subject. I have a 15 year old son wondering what career path he might take. I am not an automotive technician nor a mechanic but I am in 50's - so much of what you say applies to many other careers - it isn't just about the money, it's about the working environment, the culture and most importantly - the people - whether they be colleagues or customers.
I really wanted to be a mechanic but because my father was one and a good one it was expected that i be better than him. This was sixty years ago and i still enjoy playing with my cars and still relate back to what i was taught by my father. Did enjoy your segment and the rest of your shows. i have a fantastic technician how does most of the work on my VW 2009 Touareg 3lt TDI have nothing but the up most respect for him and he has saved me heaps of money and kept the car so reliable
I would totally recommend becoming a mechanic. Not only is it an industry with high demand for those willing to put the effort in, but it is very satisfying to complete projects to the best of your ability. No, it’s not easy and it requires you to constantly be educating yourself, but good things never came easy to begin with. As mentioned in the video, there are lots of shops that pay well. You just have to find your mechanic niche and capitalize on it. Cheers from Canada!
I can't really speak for anyone else but I've been wrenching professionally for 16 years and I love every minute of it. If you have the passion, don't let anyone try to talk you down. If you feel like the shop you are in is not helping you in your career goals, find another shop. Like Charles said, there are a lot of really good shops out there, it's just a matter of you finding them. Also, absolutely do not get hung up about the brand of car you are working on. If the shop is good, the skills, knowledge and experience will transfer to any other brand if decide to move on. I worked in 2 different manufacturer dealerships and I was happier at the dealership where I did not care for their cars. It sort of fed my mentality of "these cars are total pieces of junk but they break down so much, it allows me to make a good living repairing them". I was well trained and well paid at that dealership and I was able to take all that experience with me when I decided to leave as a better technician than when I rolled my toolbox into that shop.
19:55 I think this is very up to personal preference, in my case I don’t have much joy working if the car I’m working on is one I really dislike. I was at a great shop working with some car brands I didn’t care much for and I was miserable and underperforming, now I’m at a shop which has some issues but the environment is good and I’m working with the brand I love. I’m much happier now!
This is so good!
I just started working as a quick lube tech at a vw dealership and after about a week I had my own bay, after a month I started my apprenticeship, and I'm now finishing up that apprenticeship and working on my experience. Ev cars don't change the demand of cars needing work. If anything they help it. But the industry is definitely going through a tough time right now. I love it, but I will always take the chance to move up moving from dealership to dealership, company to company.
Thank you for being honest and encouraging us. It can be rough working in this industry at times but it really is up to us to to make the best of it.
I have learn a lot from him I followed your instructions on changing the fuel injectors on my 2016 Tiguan r line and thank you you saved me tons of cash now my car runs beautiful