Photo: MiltonPoint (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Job description
A typical repair starts with raising the vehicle on a hydraulic jack, then unbolting and removing the wheel to inspect the tire for damage. Technicians remove punctures or replace valve stems, inflate the tire to the correct pressure for its size and ply rating, and place the wheel on a balancing machine to calculate the counterweights needed for a smooth ride before remounting it. The pace is often fast and customer-facing, since most shops handle a steady stream of walk-in repairs and installations rather than long-term projects.
Pros
- Large job market with over 15,000 positions nationwide, more than most vehicle-repair specialties
- Faster than average projected job growth (5.7% over the next decade)
- Low barrier to entry: just a high school diploma with on-the-job training
Cons
- Both entry-level and top pay are modest, capping under $51k
- Above-average hours, often exceeding a standard 40-hour work week
- Fast-paced, physically repetitive work with frequent contact with impatient customers
A typical day
The bay door opens at 7:30 and the first car is already waiting -- a nail in a tread picked up on the commute, patched properly from the inside because plug-only repairs are how shops get sued. The morning is a rotation rhythm: dismount, inspect, balance, torque to spec with a wrench, never a guess. A commercial account's box truck brings the heavy work before lunch, and a customer gets walked through why a sidewall gash can't legally be repaired. The afternoon ends with the day's tires stacked for the recycler and the torque wrench calibrated for tomorrow.
Tasks at the job
- Raise vehicles, using hydraulic jacks.
- Remount wheels onto vehicles.
- Unbolt and remove wheels from vehicles, using lug wrenches or other hand or power tools.
- Place wheels on balancing machines to determine counterweights required to balance wheels.
- Identify tire size and ply and inflate tires accordingly.
- Replace valve stems and remove puncturing objects.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors, though not always in a climate-controlled space, and most of the day is spent on your feet. Noise levels can be distracting or uncomfortable. The role involves regular exposure to hazardous equipment or conditions and contaminants, and standard protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, and similar) is expected.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines. Precision and accuracy are essential to the work. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
High school diploma; some on-the-job training or apprenticeship
Licenses & certifications
- TIA certified tire technician training
- OSHA 10
Related fields
Courses to take
- Auto shop -- the direct pathway
- Physics -- balance, torque, and load ratings
- Algebra -- sizes, pressures, and specs
- Business math -- many changers grow into service advisors or shop owners
Clubs, activities & competitions
- Auto club or motorsports interest -- wheels and tires are the entry point
- SkillsUSA automotive events
- A part-time job at a shop, quick lube, or parts store
- Help maintain family vehicles
First steps you can take now
- Learn to change and properly torque a wheel on a family car
- Apply at tire shops -- many hire and train at 16-18
- Take the free OSHA 10 course
- Study the TIA basic automotive tire service materials
