Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 72410

Fast Facts

Average Pay: N/A
Future Growth: N/A
Skill Level: N/A
Employment Size: N/A
Unemployment: N/A
Full-time Share: N/A

Sample Job Titles

Apprentice motor vehicle mechanic
Automobile mechanic
Automotive service technician
Bus mechanic
Mechanical upgrader - motor vehicle manufacturing
Motor repairer - motor vehicle manufacturing
Transmission mechanic
Truck and transport mechanic
Truck-trailer repairer
Tune-up specialist - motor vehicle

What do automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers do?

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops. This unit group also includes mechanical repairers who perform major repairs and replacement of mechanical units on newly assembled motor vehicles. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturing companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Automotive service technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor.
Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults.
Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment.
Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer’s performance specifications.
Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups.
Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements.

Mechanical repairers (motor vehicle manufacturing) perform some or all of the following duties:

Inspect and test mechanical units, such as engines, transmissions, axles and brake systems, to locate faults and malfunctions.
Diagnose faults or malfunctions and confirm findings with supervisor to determine whether to repair or replace unit.
Repair or replace mechanical units or components using hand and power tools.
Test and adjust units to specifications for proper performance.
Complete reports to record problems and work performed.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:

Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of commercial transport truck systems including chassis, frame, cab, body, engine and drive train, air brakes, steering, and fuel, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems.
Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of truck-trailer systems including structural, brake and electrical systems.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers primarily work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:

811 Repair and maintenance
441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers
237 Heavy and civil construction
212 Mining and quarrying (except oil and gas)
484 Truck transportation

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

Short and Long Term Occupational Projections

Short Term Projections for 2023-2025

The employment outlook will be moderate for automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

Long Term Projections for 2023-2032

The outlook for automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers is forecast to be balanced (rating of 2.4 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.

Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)

Number of Job Postings in 2023

During 2023, there were 337 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:

Avalon: 53%	Western: 18%
Eastern: 8%	Labrador: 7%
Central: 13%	NL-unspecified: 1%

Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year).

Who works as automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers in Newfoundland and Labrador?

During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 1,895 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 99% of those employed were Male+ and 1% of those employed were Female+.

Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:

15 to 24	25 to 54	55 to 64	65+
12%	62%	21%	5%

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada.

How much do automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers make?

Annual Earnings

The median employment income for all automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers in the reference year 2020 (2,090 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $45,600.

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

Hourly Earnings

Salary information for automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:

	Low ($/hour)	Median ($/hour)	High ($/hour)
Newfoundland and Labrador	$17.00	$24.00	$38.00

The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:

Low ($/hour)	Median ($/hour)	High ($/hour)
$17.88	$28.00	$42.00

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)

Automotive Services
Changing Oil
Suspension (Vehicle)
Diesel Engines
Electrical Systems
Transmission
Hydraulics
Heavy Equipment
Engine Repair
Planned Maintenanc

Source: Lightcast

What training is required?

Automotive service technicians:

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program
or
A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification.
Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario.
Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario.
Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Mechanical repairers (motor vehicle manufacturing):

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics:

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship
or
A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification.
Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Additional Information:

With additional training, mobility is possible between automobile and truck and transport mechanics.
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
With experience, mechanics and technicians in this unit group may progress to supervisory positions.
Mechanical repairers employed in motor vehicle manufacturing may progress to motor vehicle mechanic positions through an apprenticeship program, or with experience, they may progress to supervisory positions in motor vehicle manufacturing.