Flat rate is an outdated system that should have died out a long time ago. It makes no sense how we get paid different then virtually every other trade. If you can be a good tech you can easily do another trade and make more money with better benefits with way less invested. Until guaranteed good pay is the norm this industry will continue to lose techs in mass.
According to Washington State law, employers are required to pay employee’s at least the minimum wage or an agreed wage rate, whichever amount is higher. This also applies to employees that are auto technicians and paid a flat rate. Such employees must be paid at least minimum wage or a higher agreed wage for all hours worked. Generally, if there is no other contract in place, the law doesn’t prevent an employer from lowering an employee’s wage prospectively. However, if the work has already been performed at a higher agreed rate, the employer must pay the employee the agreed wage for the hours already worked. For example, if an employee and employer agree that the worker will earn an agreed flat rate of $500 for a job and the employee performs the work under this agreement, the employer cannot later reduce their flat rate wage to $400 after the work has already been completed.
I’m 23 and been in the field since 17. I’ve always been independent but hourly, started this new job 8 months ago though that’s flat rate with guarantee. I’m hourly until I flag 35 hours then I’m flat rate, and it’s great ! I hit my hours weekly always I average 40-45 hours weekly some weeks I go well into high 50’s (granted labor times a a little lower from dealer since our hourly and flat rate rates are higher than dealer) and for my age I’m well going to hit 80-100k by end of year hopefully
It's nice to see upcoming texhs with a good attitude like yourself. I will disagree with you on the dealership being a great place to grow, respectfully. If a person has the desire and aptitude fir diagnostic troubleshooting the dealer may stifle your growth. My dealer experience, at Toyota ironically enough, was not ideal for my skills. I made the most money at the dealer as a mid level expert. While my pay rate went up as I claimed master, and MDT status, even got Supra certified, my paycheck stagnated. Yes you can get great training and experience with high volume at a dealer, flat rate is an exercise in time and workflow management after all, one must remember that all that training is a transferable skill. And you are correct, you should get ASE certifications, but unfortunately in many areas around the country the best way to get a measurable raise is to quit and go to another shop. You touched on good points, yes it is worth becoming a tech in 2024, 2025, and so on. The skills an auto technician learns is transferable to several areas, and the knowledge and aptitude required means there is little monotony in the field.
@happygarage6310 good to hear another stand point from someone seasoned! Glad to hear your thoughts on it. Definitely quitting and leaving gets you a raise. And good point I forgot to mention. The higher the ranks you climb the harder diag and warranty jobs you get which greatly affect your pay!
Hey young blood the guys in the office that's above you that has 20yrs like you said they said the same thing your are saying now but 20yrs passed them and where are they now in the same place you are only older so my advice to you is use the industry don't let them use .
I love this dose help me with what I kinda been seening at my auto shop I use to work at but question do u need to have a degree to start a entry-level or dose it depend on the owner when I was working at auto shop one of my co worker didn't have a degree but he knew what he was doing and did a great job. So u think I would have a chance to get into an auto shop if I had a little over year of basics experience. I was just helper didn't do lot but mainly just putting head light back lights front and back bumper as well
Yeah you definitely don’t need a degree or even trade school. Dealerships will take you as entry level. You just have to work hard and show you want to be there and learn and you’ll grow!
I love the flat rate system. NorCal based. High volume Toyota. Been at Toyota for 9 years now and I can support a family of 5, own a home ,2 cars, etc. all off my income. I do run all day and flag a lot of hours but it’s definitely worth it. If anyone enjoys working on cars and likes labor intensive jobs then I say yes most definitely get in the field.
Glad to hear that! Definitely many pros and cons on this subject and it all just depends on the individual and what works for them and what they are looking for
Flat rate is great for the lube tech, or breaks guy. But the Real tech who trouble shoots and diagnoses. By the hour. ASC tests are BS. Just pass a test without real knowledge.
I believe it is definitely worth it to be a mechanic in 2024 because the world looks up to us. Everyone drives a car now a days and they all brake. The world as a whole would fall apart without mechanics. We will get paid better soon! I understand flatrate can suck but do side jobs. Thank you for this video!
