Pay for entry-level tire technicians....

[djohn28]

Just wondering what to expect for someone with no experience(have some vocational training) in a job like this?

[Ian Szgatti]

Originally Posted by djohn28

Just wondering what to expect for someone with no experience(have some vocational training) in a job like this?

what do you mean by "tire technicians". are you refering to the installation of new tires? or the engineering aspects?

i can speak on the installation part and tell you that your answer is also dependant on what kind of applications your talking about. The repair and or installation of tractor trailer tires is somewhat of a trade in itself and requires certification to perform emergency roadside assistance. as a result the pay is higher for that certified person, as opposed to a general shop lube technician that simply installs and balances passenger vehicle tires.
for the former mentioned duties, one might expect a marginal wage like 10 dollars an hour

[UncleBob]

I'm sure the pay is different from area to area (cost of living), and there is also the difference between coorperate stores and independant stores. Full service shops vs tire specialty stores.

But here in seattle, you can expect to start out around $8-10/hr.

Your education and experience really doesn't matter. Tire tech is the bottom wrung job in the industry, simular to flipping burgers. Usually either working your way up to become a mechanic, service writer or what not.

[djohn28]

LOL. Ok, not very good I see. I'm a college student and looking for a new job after being out of work for a while and was just wondering what to expect.

[Ian Szgatti]

Originally Posted by djohn28

LOL. Ok, not very good I see. I'm a college student and looking for a new job after being out of work for a while and was just wondering what to expect.

I realize the pay probably isn't on par for you... but if you simply need a job to get you by, concider the benifits of this work. it might be comparable to flipping burgers, but its good physical work... you know the customers are very appreciative when you get themgoing down the road without any vibrations... it takes some time to change and balance and re-install four tires, so your day goes by pretty quickly... again, i mentioned that due to the physical nature of the work, your physique doesnt suffer...
try not to worry about getting paid a lot, just get some satisfaction out of what your doing. If your planning to get into automotives, you can expect to change a lot of tires like I did and still do. I'm going through school as well, and I perform many repairs where I work at a Ford dealer in Hamilton Ontario, but I still change tires, as does the 47 year old lead tech... sometimes its just satisfying.

[Black Lotus]

Originally Posted by Ian Szgatti

, but I still change tires, as does the 47 year old lead tech... sometimes its just satisfying.

Funny, a when I busted tires a long, long, long time ago, I kinda liked it too. You get into a rhythm...
More recently, it used to scare me to death to watch some derelict or high school kid put tires on my car. Now I pay extra to go to "boutique" shops that won't screw up my $800 rims.

[UncleBob]

many of the tire/rims these days are severely difficult to mount, and very easy to damage with the amount of force involved. Even with the "proper" machines for those particular tire/rim types

Its not like it used to be, thats for sure! I think I'd honestly rather battle split rims than some of the nasty aftermarket rim/tire combo's that people buy to look cool.

I do tires fairly often, when the tire guys get behind and I have no pressing work. MOST of the time its layed back easy work with little stress. I'm way overpaid for it though, so they don't let me do it too often

[djohn28]

Originally Posted by Ian Szgatti

I realize the pay probably isn't on par for you... but if you simply need a job to get you by, concider the benifits of this work. it might be comparable to flipping burgers, but its good physical work... you know the customers are very appreciative when you get themgoing down the road without any vibrations... it takes some time to change and balance and re-install four tires, so your day goes by pretty quickly... again, i mentioned that due to the physical nature of the work, your physique doesnt suffer...
try not to worry about getting paid a lot, just get some satisfaction out of what your doing. If your planning to get into automotives, you can expect to change a lot of tires like I did and still do. I'm going through school as well, and I perform many repairs where I work at a Ford dealer in Hamilton Ontario, but I still change tires, as does the 47 year old lead tech... sometimes its just satisfying.

Thanks for your input.