5 alternative jobs an Auto mechanic can leave for! 

A friend of mine maintains police cars. Just under 50/hour, no stress, no deadlines. Hourly. Theyre never too old and rusty.

I left the Automotive Industry for the electrical route. Best decision ever due to: - Way better pay - Less stress - No dealing with Service Manager lowering the flat rate pay - Not having to consistently buy new tools - Not having to renew ASEs - No warranty pay - Better benefits - Additional Training available if needed - No more doing things for free (looking for lost keys to customer vehicle, waiting for parts department, waiting for service advisor to up sale, sitting around when it’s slow, etc)

Industrial refrigeration is no joke. I’m never stressed at work, I don’t have expensive tools, I’m always clean, and the money is pretty good.

Biomedical Technician. I luckily fell into it after 3 years of heavy equipment and 7 years of automotive. Best decision I ever made outside of having kids. Night and day difference in every single way.. I could write a whole editorial about how much better this field is for a technician. Only 17 months into it right now.. already achieved a nearly %10 raise with another %10-15 waiting for me at the end of training this fall. My boss was excited to get someone that knows electronics, hydraulics, failure analysis, schematics, assembly/ disassembly/ fabrication skills, etc. so don't be shy guys.. APPLY!

I went into elevator service after 10 years of sucking sh*t in automotive. Best decision I ever made.

I left the automotive industry and my wife and i started our own tree service it has been 2 years now and our income is significantly better stress level is way down and mental health is way up! Best thing we ever did. And i am the mechanic for all of our equipment. I relized wrenching made me cuss and tree work makes me pray lol when your 80ft in the air sending tops out of trees lol

Mechanic for life here. Decided to be a welder for a while. I guarantee any mediocre mechanic is 10x better at removing and installing and fixing machines than a welder. But it’s so bad for you. Grinding for hours 😢 I make more as a mechanic. Me- I’m saving up $100k (1/3 to my goal in one year) To go to another country. And start a shop. I’m thinking Philippines.

I'm really enjoying how you're helping let people know there are better alternatives out there to the jobs they're doing right now, all while simultaneously helping disrupt the industry. It's great and I'm loving every minute of it. I ended up in software development, not saying I'd recommend it for others, but that's where I am now.

Gas utility service technician. The handful of tools I need are provided and if I get dirty it was a really bad day. My mechanic experience helped me be the number one tech in my first six months on the job

The X5 in the background suckered me in haha. I have two of them. I’m an auto tech and the shop I’m in works on mostly BMW’s. I recently found your channel and am enjoying it so far.

Been in auto repair for about 5 years, all my tools are finally paid off and hvac work sounds a lot better of a time than auto. I totally agree that stress is the main reason I want out, but also just the wear and tear on the body is horrible. Thanks for the video

Left automotive 5 years ago to work on elevators/escalators. Its just not even close. The only thing about automotive i miss is access to a lift. Easily resolved if you know the right people. Havent looked back.

Hi lance love the content, was in the automotive industry for 27 years (honda,nissan, & saturn) & i have experienced everything you have been talking about in the dealerships, finally got out about 4 years ago , best decision i have ever made . Got a job with a local water authority , better pay (get paid hourly),better benefits , & better work schedule . Also have found that alot of municipalities in my local area do their own fleet maintenance so that may be another avenue for auto mechanics to explore.

I have been in the trade for 30 years and you are right about everything you say! It’s a lot of work for little pay!

Really needed this video tbh. Worked at firestone for about 7 months, then decided to quit and go to school for automotive and have been at a lexus dealer for about a year now. I'm 25 right now and am already feeling the wear and tear on my body (constant lower back pain and crushed my thumbnail working at firestone). So far I don't really mind the industry because I'm still enjoying learning new things, but after everything I've been hearing about the industry lately I don't know if I wanna stay long term so this video really helps

Got Ase Master tech certified at 19, finished my associate’s at my local community college in applied automotive technologies at 20, worked for a total of 12 years as an automotive technician, the last six of them at a Honda dealership. Made more money in my first year as a traveling commercial electrician (apprentice) as I did any year as a mechanic. We install the Critical Power and distribution for one of the largest retailers in the USA.

i am a jack of all trades honestly. and i agree with this video. i worked in hvac for 6 years back in india where i was born. did some automotive too. nothing crazy tho mostly just lube tech stuff....came to canada when i was 29 and i couldnt get a job in hvac or automotive. byy luck or gods hand a truck shop (fleet maintenance) gave me a chance as an apprentice so ive been doing that for a year now. working towards red seal. its a hard job sometimes but im thankful to canada and canadians for accepting me and giving me a chance here so i try my best.

Very good info! Once full time motorcycle mechanic/business owner to aligning giant gas turbine systems to finish product construction on motorized shelving to robotic based machine tech to now building engineer. Companies love mechanics and luckily I was high performer at all those jobs. There is a world outside the dealership for sure and people just want to give you money..

A good friend of mine from the dealership who was a master technician took a job working for a railroad. He went through a ton of training from the railroad to earn his certifications and quickly moved up from being a nobody to a licensed conductor, then engineer and now after just a few years he runs the yard. He is very happy and earns good money. The railroads are looking for good people all the time.

Thank you for sharing this information after seeing your video on the automotive industry I definitely don’t want to spend my twenties destroying my body

Its a real shame the way most of us automotive techs are treated. Short end of the stick and one miss diag negates 100 correct ones. And its alot of knowledge and skill for the money. We need to look into unionizing.

I have mentioned this in another one of your videos. I went into warehouse maintenance. It’s less pay but never have to buy tools and now after some time the difference in pay for me is 3 dollars. No weekends unless it’s absolutely necessary. And I have yet to work a weekend. Has air conditioning and heating. I repair conveyor belts and The machines that basically you see in like Amazon, fed X, ups, warehouses the packages are always moving on. Most of it is just basic maintenance everyday. And the BEST part is i never have to deal with customers 😂.

Not sure how you feel about flare rate pay for ev work but I absolutely refuse. Dealing with nearly 1kv and having that time tick down is something that should come with hazard pay by law. Linesmen gloves required, linesmen pay is required.

I love the encouragement you give us, Lance.

Great Video and Topic!! Enjoyed being a fleet mechanic then switched to the Water utility department. Involved in all the pump maintenance and repair definitely low stress

This was a good video. Don't know why you need to turn your camera off and on after every segment. When I left the Chevy dealer the first time, I found a commercial landscaping company that ran a fleet of Chevy and GMC trucks. All from 1988 to 2006 models. And this was in 2013. They buy these trucks at about 100k miles, and they run em into the ground. And they've got their own junkyard out back. And they don't even know what the hell Flat Rape is. It's all hourly. You don't do any diagnostics. You just know what's wrong with the truck from experience. So when a truck goes down, and when you get it running again fast, they are very grateful. We had 2 truck mechanics in the shop, and 2 equipment mechanics, and one mobile guy fixing everything. The mobile guy got paid the best then my shop foreman. I got hired at 17 bucks an hour, and the boss accidentally let that slip to the lawnmower mechanics who had been there over 10 years and were both paid well under 15 an hour. Moral of the story Lance is full of shit when he says small engine guys are making great money Fuck, I tried to go to Harley Davidson. The service manager told me that his shop foreman with 45 years working at one dealership was only making 16.75 an hour in 2015. No way in hell I would ever consider small engines and equipment. And I learned about hydraulics when I was at WyoTech. Lots of highly complex algebra, and you gotta have the equation figured out right the fuck now. There's no time for a calculator. You gotta figure that shit out in your head and on the fly. Fuck heavy equipment. It's all hydraulics. 😂

Going from automotive to another field is only about a year of apprenticeship. As a factory mechanic, i saw that a thermocouple in our heated molds is the same galvanic battery setup that oxygen sensors are. Our plastic molding machines are electronic controlled, but hydraulic operated like an automatic transmission. 3 phase 440V is not too far off from hybrid setups. The high voltage training i got at GM is the same safety course for high voltage electricians. My plumber is also an excavator because he has a excavator for digging up pipes. He makes a killing. My job is stress free, and I love it.

A few years ago I moved from the automotive shop I worked in to running engines in test cells for Cummins. Fun job and great work life balance. Cummins is Hiring for Mechanical Engineering Technicians in Indiana if you are wanting a change from the shop environment.

I left automotive to be a marine mechanic. Nice thing is where I am in Ontario, marine is non compulsory. Many large dealers around me are specifically advertising to automotive mechanics, advertised wages are 45-50 an hour with benefits. Its a good mix, lots of electronics in the new stuff and lots of carbs in the old stuff.... Everyday is different. I cant get over how clean I stay at work in a day. Water tests beat road tests 9/10times. Your way easier on your tools. If you work somewhere that rebuilds drives rather than replacing its good work, basically like building a differential. Many of the large dealers around me are paying there guys 12 months a year to retain staff, even if they arent working all winter. I work at a small dealer, its me and 1 other mechanic. Shop rate is so high at marinas it allows them to pay there mechanics well. If you're talking percentages of the door rate, I am not making anymore money than I was previously. Except ofcourse the door rate is way higher than in the automotive world. There is stress because summer is short and everybody wants there boat finished yesterday, but were already used to that from automotive anyways. Parts can be a bitch, the biggest adjustment for me is running a shop that always has 30-40 boats in the service process as parts can be weeks out sometimes. Overall I would say if you like boats and atvs and sleds go to a marina, its cleaner work, the work is more fun and the money is way better.

Here are the local AG dealers in the PNW have a unique issue. The diesel electric side of things the service document is specific for mechanic up to a certain point. Once voltage exceeded 55 volts a license electricians must do the repairs fr there. You have to pay a labor rate for a mechanic and a electrician. There isn't anyone who has the commercial license (5years) and works on John Deere electric drive.

My buddy in high school loved scuba diving and spear fishing. So he ended up being an underwater welder. He makes really killer money. It’s dangerous but he really enjoys it.

Small engine work has a lot of the same downsides as automotive, especially when it comes to the quality of the shops you work in. I am a small engine tech myself for stihl, Briggs and Stratton, exmark, gravely, toro and ariens. The highest end small engine shops are about on par with the small private automotive garages. Owners are just as greedy as automotive and shop conditions are almost always worse. My shop has two techs. We live in upstate New York and our shop has no heat or air conditioning. We have zero exhaust ventilation in our shop, horrible lighting systems and the same flat rate stress. Keep up the good work on these videos though man. You have convinced me to start looking elsewhere and now I have an opportunity at a geo thermal company right across the road from my house

So I'm brand new to the industry only 3 months experience as a customer experience specialist "basically a service writer / take care of the front end of the shop" for a independent shop and the conditions and the management is enough to make me want to quit. I'm 22 but don't want to have the health issues you mentioned in you other video. I've been laughed at by customers for telling them I left banking to work at an automotive shop and at the start I didn't get why but now I understand. I will just like cars on my own and say friends with my master tech but I'm looking into other jobs. I don't know how the tech tolerate our workplace conditions.

As a factory maintenance worker has stress at least where i am production is your customers, they give unrealistic time frames to work on or rebuild machines, and blame everything on maintenance even when it’s obviously operator error. At the place im at you do a little bit of everything like machining, plumbing, plc diagnostics, hydraulics, high voltage, and of course band aiding so production does not stop. It might be only the place i work at but I highly doubt it.

I was a mechanic for 14 years. I finally got tired of the low pay, stress and wear and tear on my body so I left to go work for the paint department of a local welding company. I'm now the manager of the department, getting paid better than I ever have, much happier and way less stressed. My only regret was not leaving sooner.

I left after 25 years in the industry for a job as a d/c power electrician,,,the transition was extremely smooth

Great video! Im at a point in my life right now that im trying to find my next move. Tired of dealer life. Thinking HVAC but open to all

I appreciate your positivity!

26 myself. Been a tech since I was 21 (I was a DIYer for 3 years already at that point). I'm fortunate to not have any chronic pain despite the job (my dad was a plumber for many years and has back pain. I helped him with his work as a teen and he was always very strict about posture, lifting technique, and PPE), but between the mediocre pay amd the long hours, I don't see myself doing this for much longer. I did learn a lot (I've been working at a Honda dealership for 3 years and I've learned a lot about diagnosis especially), but I can't achieve my dreams with what I'm making and the free time I've lost.

I’m currently studying to be a heavy equipment tech. Glad to hear it’s at least marginally better than automotive. I might have to look into switching to HVAC eventually though… Great video!

How much should a journeyman mechanic be earning now, at a independent shop, and at a dealership? I have over 30 years of automotive experience, however I got out of the trade in 1996. I had a Porsche shop for 10 years in Glendale, CA I closed the shop because the shop kept getting burglarized. I was a fabricator for Carrol Shelby. After 1996, I traveled the world, by being in the bicycle business, doing trade shown, developing products & starting other businesses. Because of 9/11 the bicycle job ended. I’ve been a full time Realtor since 2002. 12:50

Within reason, almost anything technical or fixable is an option when using auto repair as a starting point. The hard part is proving to an employer that you are capable of technical work, and finding that niche application. Went from CNC operator to a machine operator in a factory, 40% pay increase just to start.

My last job was as a millwriight. Electrical knowledge, mechanical knowledge, Hydraulic knowledge, carpentry and blueprints/wiring schematics learned as a heavy equipment and automotive mechanic and other odd jobs. Millwright is an easy job with lots of variety.

Great topic. I think a lot of the problem is that many of the people who are doing the hiring in other trades do not see the value out of having the multiple stills that come with being a diagnostic automotive mechanic. At least, where I'm at, it's really difficult to find anything north of 70K a year. Personally, I've had my eye on system engineer work as well as medical equipment repair. Hoping to find something in one of those two fields eventually.

I left after 14 years as an RV tech and tried IT. IT is a whole different beast. Hard to get anywhere unless you know someone. Luckily, I had work through a friend. Turning wrenches is far more fun, in my opinion. Got out of IT to be a full-time Dad. Trying to figure out my next move. I won't go back to IT.

Get a few other mechanics together to buy out (or lease) a shop where the owner is retiring and become a reputable independent repair shop and you will never run out of customers

Dude. This is what I needed. I have the video stopped at 10 seconds before I finish this comment. I’m applying for a Honda right now because my current shop, which is an over glorified jiffy lube, sucks ass. If Honda doesn’t work out I am done with cars. Been in for about two years. I absolutely love cars (modifying and racing) but this industry is eating me. I’ve been asking myself what can I even do? Thank you. Seriously.

I'm an automotive apprentice right now. I'm dealing with an autoimmune response where my body is building stress over the week and releases all at once on the weekend. It leaves me exhausted and feeling ill almost every week without fail. I have been looking for a job somewhere else, but It seems no one is paying well enough for me to make the move.

Remember that almost all systems of mechanical fields are based on biological models. I did EMS for many years for a while. I let my hand tingling heal and returned to working reefer units and semi trailers better suited and healed. I am 62 and working circles around some of my younger techs. Teaching the shortcuts and safety styles I learned the hard way!!

Cnc machining. Hands on, geometry, and problem solving.

Sunbelt rentals is a good place working on fleets of equipment gas, diesel and electric powered. No bickering about what needs to repaired just when can you fix it can be rented again for another customer. Training is provided and 350 dollar tool allowance and 175 dollar boot allowance. Shop tools are provided. good insurance and coworkers. Everyone is paid hourly and help each other.

I would say industrial machine repair would be a good fit for ex-mechanics. Sell your $50,000 snap-on box filled with specialty tools. It will not impress anyone in a factory. In fact some will see you as a fool. Other than that you will need to learn to stay in your lane. Pipe fitters get upset if they catch you doing their work. Same with millwrights,and electricians. Come to think of it millwright is not a bad trade for an ex-mechanic either.

I was the son of a general contractor, worked EVERY form of construction work prior to working on cars demoed my first house age 12. After mechanics I went welding and now underwater welding thru the operating engineers union

Ive been in a county bus fleet for 27yrs. Im at top rate & leader Im over $130k a year. Any stress is what I put on myself. Plus working on CNG & EV. My company pays for training. My bennies are sweat too

Man I’m glad to see the light put on dealerships. I was ready to leave the dealership last year and never return. I’m the master MDT Toyota tech at my dealership of 23 yrs. They restructured my pay to a salary that’s worth more than my best year. With a 20k a year bonus for how well my time members do week to week. This is what kept me going. But if it had not been for the 3rd generation owners taking over I would have never considered staying.

Fb2 javii second channel here thanks for all the great information you put out ❤️❤️ like the value you provide

Always said if I were to do it again Hvac all the way 👍🇨🇦🔧

Fleet maintenance can be really bad ass if you can get in a power company or something of that nature

Fleet is where its at. Im a one man show that takes care of a large sign manufacturing and installation company. I work on and service everything from heavy shop/manufacturing equipment, bobcats, cranes, generators, 20+ fleet vehicles from vans to 3500/f450 service trucks and 15 trailers. Keeps me extremely busy but i love the variety. Its great hourly pay, great perks and benefits and nothing is pushed or rushed out the door unless its done right because the owner understands that someone's life depends on that piece of equipment working correctly.

From tire tech, to lube tech, to line tech; I've been in automotive for right around 4 years at this point. At this point as a 27yr old, I know I want out of automotive but from what I hear, trades in the state of Florida pay infamously low compared to other states, especially when considering cost of living; and I'm not able to leave the state. Any advice?

Ive been thinking about getting into hvac. My wifes cousin owns an hvac business and is always looking for someone to work with him.

This doesn't apply to the younger group of want-to-be mechanics. As a seasoned mechanic that spent 18 years at new car dealerships I never attained the pay scale that everyone said was so easy to arrive at. I laughed and cried at all the false hopes and promises that were outright lies, or were written about from people who had no real clue or experience in the automotive field. Alot of false or exaggerated promises that few people ever realize, as well as never mentioning the amount of effort required to get to those high paying jobs.

I went from heavy duty equipment and diesel to turf mechanic at a golf course. I grind reels/bedknives, change oil and mow grass. I work 40 hours a week, make way more money and get free golf

Factory mechanic, Maintenance Mechanic or what I call myself is an industrial mechanic working on liquid diaphragm pumps & different machinery & conveyor systems… chains, sprockets, gaskets. Like you said jack of all master at none haha

Avoid motorcycles. The core customer base is dying, sales are tanking and working on ATVs is like working on small annoying cars. Powersports is HIGHLY cycling and when the economy contracts toys don't sell. I wrenched part time for many years at my bros vintage British, HD and multibrand shop but would have starved to death doing it for a living. OTOH fixing fighters was big fun and that early retirement is glorious.

Dealers are going to have to start paying more for the dwindling number of mechanics, as their greed has forced so many out of the profession

Just the video I needed. Thanks Lance :)

My best friend went from plumbing to a heavy duty mechanic apprentice at a diesel engine shop and is much happier

Finally put my two weeks in a few days ago. 11 and 1/2 with Lexus finally coming to an end.

I went into Security. Saved my back. But lots of time to get on you tube and I get to watch your videos

There another job mechanics can get into as well. Cryogenic technician were you install bulk tanks for welding shops that use Argon and Co2 gases. Also installing oxygen bulk tanks for hospitals system and that’s were the big money is at. Look it up it’s just like plumbing but way more higher pressure gases and your dealing with cryogenic liquid instead of water.

i would say aircraft mechanic. we have a small airport in my town, big enough to have nice planes, but not so big so it's still accessible. I was able to talk to the guys who were changing landing gear on a 10 passengers plane. The hangar was very clean. one master mechanic with one apprentice. they worked in a very calm, slow and steady pace. Also the machines they maintain are SO cooler than a mere car. no rust no corners cut. Turns out bosses that use executive plane does not put a lot of pressure on the mechanics ! funny how it is when manager's life is in the balance, workers have all the time and money.

HVACR has on call, its really hard to find reefer techs, problem is you have too be a diesel tech, HVAC tech and electrician . if you are not at least 2 you are starting at the bottom for years. it pays well though, but again it has on call and on call SUCKS, sometimes i loose money because of oncall, i miss work because of work. its hourly pay but corporate is trash, I bet they are thinking of going flat rate, I want to quit the place i work at.

I have been a Heavy Equipment Mechanic for 40 years always for a Dealer, Ingersoll Rand John Deere Cat. Currently a Komatsu Mining Equipment dealer made 100 thousand a year last 10 years. Get 5 weeks vacation plus 10 Holidays a year, Insurance Benefits 80 hrs Training, Tool allowance. 1 million in 401K Never would work on Automobiles or Dealerships. To much Investment in Tooling, Ridiculous stress, Flat Rate pay.

Friend of mine went into becoming a millwright . His pay is way better then mine ever was and a lot of what he does is installing conveyor belt systems and maintaining machines.

lol i do small engine mechanic work too. now that you talked about it. perks of working at stealership is that you get to drive new cars just come off from factories.

Guys please just be mindful that the grass is not always greener. There are plenty of people working in those other industries that complain and want to get out. Water your own grass and do what works for you.

This thumbnail is INSANE lmao

A good mechanic thinks analytically, works good with their hands and can fit into a lot of problem solving jobs, I float from carpentry(main) to fixing cars(was full time) and make a comfortable living.

Elevator / Escalator / HVAC are in huge demand in big cities. Deisel mechanic in rural

working at supermarket get pay better than entry mechanic. then after 2 to 3 years at supermarket move up to store manger 28-32 hour. much easier than experienced mechanic. wawa store manger get pay 30+ hour. you can work at wawa as sandwich maker make $18-20 hour.

I got into industrial maintenance in 2022. It's so much better. My stress level was cut in half. No insane customers, no idiot service writers, just me and the machines.

Thanks for this 🙏

so I'm looking at going to school at UNOH for high performance motorsports, I want to become a pit crew member, I'm just not sure if I want to take on $60,000 in debt for 0 certs, thanks lance love the videos

If you're good with electrical, instrumentation and controls is pretty enjoyable

You couldn't pay me enough to work on cars. I'll stick with the big iron and hourly rates.

Former auto tech of 7+ years, definitely starting to feel tear and wear on my body, it’s not worth the stress and harm we do to our bodies, and the worst part of it it all is the pay, absolutely joke, sucks when you’re truly passionate about cars

If you want to be a winner, don't be a tinner!

I left the industry and went into the water industry. Starting at an entry level position with rotating shift, watching a screen all day making $33 STARTING, and a $3 raise every six months because of the union. The only bad thing is rotating shifts and weekends holidays but again it’s entry level I have plenty of opportunities for growth once I get licensed … oh and they pay for my online courses to get licensed

I work fleet for the city I live in and I’ll never go back to work for a dealership.

Love my blue collar skills!! The only way to get paid is working for yourself

Problem is nothing will change cuz they will just import Phillipinos to do it for less and won’t complain about anything

Needed this video today, work as an auto body tech, im at the master level but i feel the pay just doesn't reflect in the skill set even being very efficient, usually 150-200% or better on flat rate. and the toxins i deal with on a daily basis just cant be good.

Just seen an ad for a sub-station apprentice $38 an hour to train.

today automotive technician work hard because must fix many technology add on vehicle but if you love you job you will make good money .

Lmao the thumbnail is 🔥 💩

I’d rather be a mechanic than working 80/90 hours as a waiter in a BS restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hvac easy guy like you. Plumbing,

A great video so much truth

Ive been working on cars for about 8 years and i have had my back broken in 3 places from a head on car crash and i just had recent shoulder surgery. This line of work has taken a toll on my body especially with the injuries i have had. i cant even sleep through the whole night without waking up in pain and at work is even worse. Do you know of any jobs a tech can do that arent so physical?