What Does a Brake Technician Do?
Brake technicians inspect, repair, and replace braking system components on cars and light trucks. They service disc and drum brakes, diagnose ABS issues, and ensure vehicles stop safely and reliably. This safety-critical specialization requires thoroughness and precision, as braking performance directly affects driver and public safety.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech), Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech), Automotive Technician (Auto Tech), Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech), Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech), Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician), Mechanic.
Brake Technician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a brake technician include:
- Inspect brake systems including pads, rotors, drums, calipers, and hydraulic lines.
- Replace worn brake pads, shoes, rotors, and drums to restore braking performance.
- Machine rotors and drums on a brake lathe when resurfacing is appropriate.
- Bleed and flush brake hydraulic systems and replace brake fluid.
- Diagnose and repair anti-lock braking system (ABS) issues using scan tools.
- Inspect and replace brake hoses, lines, and master cylinders.
- Adjust parking brakes and verify proper operation.
- Measure rotor thickness, runout, and drum diameter to determine serviceability.
- Road test vehicles after brake service to verify safe stopping performance.
- Advise customers on brake condition, repair needs, and maintenance intervals.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a brake technician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Disc and drum brake service
- ABS diagnostics and repair
- Brake lathe operation
- Hydraulic system service
- Precision measurement (micrometers, dial indicators)
- Safety-focused work practices
- Customer communication
- Attention to detail
Education and Training
A high school diploma plus automotive technology training from a technical school or community college provides the foundation for brake technician work. Many brake technicians learn on the job starting as general service technicians. ASE A5 (Brakes) certification is the standard industry credential that validates brake service competency. Manufacturer training programs provide knowledge of specific brake system designs and ABS configurations. As brake systems integrate more electronic controls and driver assistance features, technicians benefit from electrical and electronic system training.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $38,900 - $70,430 per year, with a median of $50,620.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics.
Brake technicians are consistently needed as brake maintenance and repair are among the most common automotive services. Every vehicle on the road requires periodic brake service, ensuring stable demand. The integration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with braking systems, such as automatic emergency braking, is creating new service requirements. Technicians who develop skills in ADAS calibration and electronic brake systems will be most competitive. Brake technicians can advance to general automotive technician, master technician, or shop management positions.
Brake Technician Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $34,660 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $38,900 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $50,620 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $70,430 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $81,790 |
Highest-Paying States for Brake Technicians
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($68,660), California ($64,980), Colorado ($61,280), Alaska ($60,840), Massachusetts ($60,760). Pay is lowest in Arkansas ($44,160), Mississippi ($37,820), West Virginia ($37,660).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,640 |
| Alaska | $60,840 |
| Arizona | $49,570 |
| Arkansas | $44,160 |
| California | $64,980 |
| Colorado | $61,280 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 |
| Delaware | $58,410 |
| District of Columbia | $68,660 |
| Florida | $48,260 |
| Georgia | $49,060 |
| Hawaii | $52,160 |
| Idaho | $48,420 |
| Illinois | $49,170 |
| Indiana | $49,360 |
| Iowa | $50,510 |
| Kansas | $47,790 |
| Kentucky | $44,890 |
| Louisiana | $46,400 |
| Maine | $52,040 |
| Maryland | $57,520 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 |
| Michigan | $54,120 |
| Minnesota | $58,390 |
| Mississippi | $37,820 |
| Missouri | $49,160 |
| Montana | $58,740 |
| Nebraska | $50,560 |
| Nevada | $48,290 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 |
| New Jersey | $56,610 |
| New Mexico | $47,300 |
| New York | $54,120 |
| North Carolina | $48,200 |
| North Dakota | $57,360 |
| Ohio | $48,710 |
| Oklahoma | $46,560 |
| Oregon | $58,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,800 |
| Rhode Island | $51,770 |
| South Carolina | $48,100 |
| South Dakota | $51,160 |
| Tennessee | $50,290 |
| Texas | $48,310 |
| Utah | $46,570 |
| Vermont | $51,630 |
| Virginia | $59,330 |
| Washington | $57,270 |
| West Virginia | $37,660 |
| Wisconsin | $54,350 |
| Wyoming | $51,330 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as automotive service technicians and mechanics about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 97% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 95% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 88% spend more than half the workday on their feet
- 79% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 72% deal with loud or distracting noise every day
- 58% work around hazardous equipment every day
- 54% bend or twist for more than half the day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 50% |
| High school diploma or GED | 43% |
| Some college | 6% |
Tools and Software Brake Technicians Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Repairing, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Active Listening.
Knowledge areas used most: Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, English Language.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 49-3023.00 (Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.