Auto Detailer

Auto detailers make cars and trucks look as new as possible for automobile owners, car dealerships, car rental services and insurance companies. Duties and methods vary but, in general, auto detailers:

• hand wash and wax vehicles
• apply rust proofing and undercoating 
• clean the undercarriage, engine, tires, chrome and aluminum parts, upholstery, vinyl and leather
• use air compressors and other tools to clean vents and other small places that gather dust
• vacuum and shampoo carpets
• repair damages (for example, dents and scrapes)
• apply exterior and interior finishes
• remove stains.

Experienced auto detailers also may touch up chipped paint, tint windows and repair or replace upholstery.

Auto detailing is repetitive, physically demanding work that involves handling chemicals and items that weigh up to 20 kilograms.

Auto detailers need the following characteristics:

• able to lift and carry heavy equipment such as polishers and buffers
• able to repeatedly stoop, kneel, crouch and work in awkward positions
• able to pay close attention to details
• able to work around cleaning chemicals and perfumes
• have a clean, neat personal appearance.

They should enjoy operating specialized cleaning equipment, taking a methodical approach to cleaning vehicle interiors and exteriors, and immediately seeing the results of their work.

Average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Auto detailers are employed by car washes and shops that specialize in auto detailing. Employment often is seasonal in Alberta.

Experienced auto detailers may move into related occupations such as Automobile Accessories Installer or Auto Body Technician, or advance to supervisory positions. Those who have the required entrepreneurial skills may start their own businesses.

Auto detailers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6732: Specialized cleaners. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Other Services (PDF)
• Retail Trade (PDF)
• Business, Building and Other Support Services (PDF)
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing (PDF)
• Manufacturing (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 4,700 Albertans are employed in the Specialized cleaners occupational group. This group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.7% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 80 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As auto detailers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for auto detailers. 

There is a relatively high employment turnover rate in this occupation so demand for new workers is fairly steady. However, there often are many applicants for vacant positions.