15 of the Best Types of Automotive Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Automotive jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Automotive Jobs

• Union Automotive

  Salary range: $106,500 - $174,000

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Freelance Automotive

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Automotive Executive

  Salary range: $58,000 - $120,500

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• From Home Automotive

  Salary range: $35,000 - $80,000

  From Home Automotive is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Automotive jobs pay between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Automotive job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Automotive Manager

  Salary range: $45,500 - $78,500

  Automotive manager refers to several possible positions in the automotive sales industry. The title generally refers to either general managers or department managers at a dealership. In either of these roles, your duties are focused mainly on hiring and developing your teams, creating sales targets, assessing financial and budgetary concerns, and providing leadership for sales representatives and other workers on the lot. Typically, a department manager reports to the general manager. All managerial positions require strong organization and leadership skills, good financial acumen, and in-depth knowledge of the automotive industry.

• Automotive Journeyman

  Salary range: $55,500 - $76,000

  Automotive Journeyman is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Automotive Journeyman jobs pay between $55,500 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Automotive Journeyman job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Full Time Automotive

  Salary range: $43,500 - $69,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Junior Automotive

  Salary range: $34,000 - $69,000

  Junior Automotive is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Automotive jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $69,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Automotive job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Automotive Independent Contractor

  Salary range: $37,500 - $63,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Virtual Automotive

  Salary range: $42,500 - $57,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Internship Automotive

  Salary range: $30,500 - $50,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Automotive Apprentice

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  The primary qualifications for becoming an automotive apprentice are physical fitness and mechanical aptitude. Some employers only ask for a high school diploma or GED certificate, while other companies require you to complete an automotive technician training program. Employers do not expect you to have any professional work experience, though any time spent working with automotive vehicles can help you stand out from other people applying for the apprenticeship. Automotive apprentices usually work regular hours, though employers may occasionally ask you to come in and help with an emergency repair job. Other qualifications you need to obtain an automotive apprenticeship includes physical stamina, communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to understand and follow technical repair manuals.

• Entry Level Automotive

  Salary range: $30,000 - $46,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Temporary Automotive

  Salary range: $30,500 - $44,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Summer Automotive

  Salary range: $26,000 - $43,500

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.