What Is a Service Advisor? - Job Description & Salary

<p>As an automobile service advisor, you are usually the frontliner in the service department of a car dealership. You are often the first person who will greet new and current customers and their main point of contact to keep them informed on the service. In this article, we will focus on the key tasks of a service advisor, the requirements for the job and how much salary you might earn. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td> High school diploma or GED</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td> In-house training and/or other automotive service advisor training</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td> Greet old and new clients; schedule service appointments; track status reports on repairs and expenses; provide customer service to car owners</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> -1% (all customer service representatives)*</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Average Salary (2021)</b></td><td>$41,495 annually; $14.93 hourly (all automobile service advisors)**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; **PayScale</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheEducationalRequirements"> What are the Educational Requirements?</h3> <p>The first step to becoming a service advisor is to acquire a high school diploma or GED. There are schools and colleges that offer associate's and bachelor's degrees in automotive technology but these are not required by all employers for this position. These courses are often focused on automotive engineering, automotive service technology and automotive management. </p> <h3 id="section---DoINeedTraining"> Do I Need Training?</h3> <p>You need to be familiar with the automotive industry if you want to work as an automotive service advisor. Aside from an in-house training with a senior service advisor or a certified technician, there are various trainings available online which could help hone your skills and expand your career. These training courses, such as ASE Service Consultant Training, provide online structured learning on customer service skills; shop operations, including billing and writing orders; vehicle technical knowledge, including parts and warranty; and sales skills. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheKeyResponsibilitiesOfAServiceAdvisor"> What Are the Key Responsibilities of a Service Advisor?</h3> <p>As an automotive service advisor, you are the bridge between the client and the technician. You will often be the person who explains to the customers the needed repairs for their car as well as the cost estimates for the work. You will also provide work time estimates and follow-ups, in addition to keeping track of the clients' records. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheKeySkillsRequiredForTheJob"> What Are the Key Skills Required for the Job?</h3> <p>You must have excellent communication skills since you are the main person who will interact with both the clients and the technicians. You also need to be well-informed in the industry and able to provide accurate information to the technicians on the customers' automotive servicing needs. You must also have excellent customer service skills, with the ability to handle customer complaints and keep them informed on what is happening, such as whether they would need to wait for their car to be serviced or might have to come back in another time or day. </p> <h3 id="section---WhereCanIWorkAndHowMuchIsTheSalary"> Where Can I Work and How Much Is the Salary?</h3> <p>Many service advisors work in car dealerships, independent repair facilities and automotive franchises. They may start off as entry-level advisors, non-technical service representatives, sales specialists or appointment coordinators. According to PayScale, the average salary for all automobile service advisors in 2021 is $41,495 per year, or $14.93 per hour.</p>