"Chain" auto repair store experiences as a tech.

[Farbin Kaiber]

^You are feeling the exact same way a Dental Hygienist feels nine months in. It's just the way it is, the automotive repair field isn't the place to NOT struggle. Take a moment and look back on your life, how many old, happy, not in physical pain AND financially well off mechanics do you know?

[Exodus_2pt0]

If you're considering college and in a position to do so, do it.

I am still planning on getting a college degree, but it will be hard on my income alone, wile raising a child.

The key is to go to college but do it without drowning in student loans. Then you can net a good salary, without having it all go to paying off debt.


That said, I wouldn't be buying many tools on 12/hr. Especially not snap on, at that rate harbor freight will do just fine. If they aren't going to pay you a respectable income, then why would you spend your peanuts on high dollar tools that won't earn you top dollar?

Save the high expense tools for when you are making enough cash to warrant the expense.


As said above, if you continue to wrench, it WILL be a struggle. It has taken me 10 years to get to a place where I am comfortable.

[Holland]

Exact reasons I'm not a technician.

[flyboyx]

i/we certainly can't tell you what to do or what is right for you. however, i have to be honest with you. 12 bucks an hour is like 24k a year full time. i enjoy working on my cars, but there is no way in fucking hell i would allow myself to be in a position like this. i would probably rather suck buttholes for a living. it probably would pay better.

pay isn't everything, but goddamn! i suggest getting an education in something else so you can make a wage that at least co supports a wife and a kid or two. there is no way a family can make it for 12 bucks an hour..

why don't you look into installing/servicing wind generators? you will travel a lot and be away from home but it sure pays a hell of a lot better than this. also, its a growing industry. if i couldn't fly for some reason, this is what i would look into.

[Eric]

You could join the Air Force and turn wrenches in motor pool and make more than $12 an hour.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Exact reasons I'm not a technician.

+1

Considered this route when I finished HS. Considered a diesel tech since they paid easily over 25-30 per hour up here on the prairies back when I was considering it.

Working conditions were what held me back. I can't stand being out in the cold, esp. with all the constant physical stress. Shit just weighs you down.

Went to Uni instead...had a hell of a good time partying too :D

[der affe]

This is the same reason I did not go back into doing collision work. I loved the challenge of fixing a wrecked car, but unless you are at a high end dealer doing expensive or exotic cars, they just want you to cut corners and half ass the cars.

With all my fab work and welding skills, I am going to switch to a job as a millright. The pay is almost tripple what you make doing the same things on cars. I still get to do "manual" labor and be outside sometimes and not behind a desk ( I could not do the desk job thing), but you are well compensated for you skills..............unlike being a tech. :(