Auto Body Program

The auto body program at Bellingham Technical College prepares students for careers as a custom painter, technician, glass installation technician, welder, metal fabricator, or paint technician. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct, and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. Program courses include: structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating. Get more details below including other Washington colleges that offer auto body program.

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Bellingham Technical College

3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue, WA

Bellingham Technical College, located in Bellingham, Washington, is a fully accredited community college that offers 35 associate degrees and 43 career certificate programs.

Each year, BTC has over 8,000 students enrolled at their campus, which lies 90 miles north of Seattle. BTC offers partnerships with larger state Universities to ensure acceptance and the transferal of credits for students who wish to pursue a 4-year degree.

Bellingham Technical College’s job placement program has been incredibly successful and is a great way for alumni to find jobs after graduation. 84% of graduates are placed in a degree applicable job within 6 months of their graduation date.

While Bellingham Technical College does not offer an athletic program, there are other student activities that are extended to attendees. BTC offers a fully-functional student government, many campus-based groups and clubs, as well as the opportunity to join Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society dedicated to two-year institutions.

The cost to attend Bellingham Technical College is $105.00 per credit hour for Washington State residents. For out-of-state students, the cost to attend BTC is $277.00 per credit hour.

Applying at Bellingham Technical College is easy. Applications can be completed online or in-person at the BTC campus. Class enrollment forms are provided online and in-person for the convenience of the student.

If you would like to apply to attend Bellingham Technical College, or of you would like to learn more about the programs of study offered at BTC, click here to access their official website.

Students Enrolled in the Auto Body Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Bellingham Technical College offers an associate's degree program in auto body.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Description

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, automotive body and related repairers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 850
  • Average Hourly Rate: $29.64
  • Average Annual Salary: $61660
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 350
  • Average Hourly Rate: $22.90
  • Average Annual Salary: $47630

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Description

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, automotive glass installers and repairers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.8% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.51
  • Average Annual Salary: $36410
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $38430

Painters, Transportation Equipment

Description

Operate or tend painting machines to paint surfaces of transportation equipment, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes. Includes painters in auto body repair facilities.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, painters, transportation equipment employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $29.21
  • Average Annual Salary: $60760
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 130
  • Average Hourly Rate: $23.48
  • Average Annual Salary: $48830

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).