Automotive & Repair Jobs in Arlington, TX

Few cities are as car-centric as Arlington: it is home to General Motors' Arlington Assembly plant - the exclusive builder of GM's full-size SUVs - and to one of North Texas's densest dealership corridors along I-20 and Highway 360, with GM Financial headquartered here to finance much of it. That combination means automotive technicians, mechanics, and service advisors are in constant demand across dealerships, independent shops, and fleet operations, and a national technician shortage keeps qualified pros well-paid. This hub pulls together every LocalJobPage guide in the field so you can find a role, see who is hiring, and apply.

Why Automotive Hiring Is Strong in Arlington

Automotive and repair is a natural strength in Arlington because the entire vehicle economy is concentrated here. GM's Arlington Assembly plant builds the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade, anchoring a workforce of thousands and a huge supplier and service base. The dealership corridors along I-20 and Highway 360 - with groups like Vandergriff and Classic - run large service departments that continuously hire technicians, service advisors, and parts specialists. Independent repair shops, quick-lube chains, collision centers, and fleet operations for the city, school districts, and delivery companies add still more demand. With experienced technicians retiring faster than new ones enter the trade nationwide, Arlington shops compete for skilled techs, pushing up pay and creating clear ladders from lube tech to master technician.

Top Automotive & Repair Employers in Arlington

These are the largest and most active automotive employers in and around Arlington. Each link runs a live search combining the employer with a common role so you land on relevant openings:

• Vandergriff Automotive Group - Longtime Arlington dealership group; automotive technicians, service advisors, and parts specialists.
• Classic Chevrolet - Major North Texas dealer near Arlington; technicians, mechanics, and service department roles.
• General Motors (Arlington Assembly) - Manufacturing anchor; maintenance technicians and skilled vehicle-related trades.
• Caliber Collision - Large collision-repair chain with Arlington locations; auto body repair technicians and estimators.
• Christian Brothers Automotive - Independent repair chain with Arlington shops; automotive mechanics and service advisors.
• Discount Tire - National tire and service retailer with Arlington stores; tire and lube technicians.
• Penske / fleet operations - Truck leasing and fleet maintenance in the DFW area; diesel mechanics and fleet technicians.

Automotive & Repair Career Paths in Arlington

The 8 guides in this hub group into four functional buckets, so you can start where your experience and timeline fit:

• Entry-level service: Lube Technician, Automotive Detailer.
• Repair technicians: Automotive Technician, Automotive Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic.
• Collision and body: Auto Body Repair Technician.
• Service and parts support: Auto Service Advisor, Auto Parts Specialist.

How to Start an Automotive & Repair Career in Arlington

Automotive careers in Arlington often start with an entry job plus certification rather than a four-year degree, and local schools offer strong technical programs:

• Entry-level roles - lube technician, detailer, and parts positions typically require only a high school diploma and offer on-the-job training, a common first step into a shop.
• Tarrant County College - offers automotive technology and collision repair programs and certificates at low in-county tuition.
• ASE certification - Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications are the industry standard and the key credential for raising pay and reaching master technician status.
• Manufacturer training - dealership techs can earn brand-specific certifications (GM, Ford, and others) that command higher pay at franchise service departments.
• Diesel and specialty skills - diesel mechanic training and EPA 609 refrigerant certification for A/C work open higher-paying specialty roles.

No state license is required to work as an automotive technician or mechanic in Texas; hiring is driven by ASE certifications, hands-on skill, and manufacturer training rather than state licensure, which makes the field accessible to newcomers who start entry-level and certify as they go.

Automotive & Repair Salaries in Arlington

Pay rises sharply with certification and flat-rate productivity. These are local estimate tiers to help you plan:

• Entry level (lube technician, automotive detailer, parts counter): roughly $30,000 - $42,000 per year.
• Mid level (automotive technician, auto service advisor, auto body technician): roughly $45,000 - $70,000 per year.
• Senior level (master ASE technician, diesel mechanic, top flat-rate techs): roughly $70,000 - $100,000+ per year.

These figures are estimates that vary by employer, certification, and flat-rate hours, and productive master and diesel techs often earn well above these ranges. Larger employers like dealerships, Caliber Collision, and fleet operators typically add benefits such as health insurance, retirement matching, tool allowances, and paid training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license or certification to work on cars in Arlington?

No state license is required to be an automotive technician or mechanic in Texas. What matters most is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification, the industry standard that raises pay and leads to master technician status, along with manufacturer-specific training at dealerships. Entry roles like lube tech and detailer require only a high school diploma and offer on-the-job training, so you can start working and certify as you go.

Which employer hires the most automotive workers in Arlington?

The dealership corridors along I-20 and Highway 360 - including groups like Vandergriff and Classic - collectively hire the most technicians, service advisors, and parts specialists. GM's Arlington Assembly plant, collision chains like Caliber Collision, independent shops like Christian Brothers, and fleet operators add substantial demand.

How much do automotive and repair jobs pay in Arlington?

Entry-level lube techs and detailers generally start around $30,000 to $42,000 per year, automotive technicians, service advisors, and body techs land in the $45,000 to $70,000 range, and master ASE technicians and diesel mechanics commonly earn $70,000 to over $100,000. Flat-rate pay means productive, certified techs can earn well above these ranges.

What is the fastest way into an automotive career in Arlington?

The quickest path is starting as a lube technician or detailer, which require only a high school diploma and provide hands-on training in a shop environment. From there you can earn ASE certifications - or complete an automotive technology program at Tarrant County College - and move up into technician, diesel, and master roles with much higher pay.

What is the difference between an automotive technician and a service advisor?

An automotive technician performs the hands-on diagnosis and repair work on vehicles, using tools, diagnostic equipment, and technical training. A service advisor works at the front counter, meeting customers, writing up repair orders, explaining recommended work, and coordinating between the customer and the technicians. Advisors need strong communication and sales skills rather than repair skills, and both roles are essential to a busy Arlington service department.

Ready to get started? Browse all current automotive and repair job openings in Arlington, TX on LocalJobPage.