Auto Parts Salesperson

Also called: Parts Counter Associate

Helps mechanics and customers find the right parts for cars, trucks, and equipment.

A day in the life

A mechanic calls needing a brake rotor for a 2015 truck; you look it up, find it in stock, and have it ready in 10 minutes.

Pay over a career

Starting
$28k
Typical
$40k
High
$58k

BLS median roughly $38k.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. HS diploma; ASE parts certification helps.

Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Automotive Technology.

Outlook

Shrinking. BLS projects slight decline.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. Online catalogs and AI part lookups reduce counter work; mechanics still lean on knowledgeable counter staff.

Could start right away

Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at AutoZone, O'Reilly, NAPA or a dealership parts counter

Start now, in high school

Classes: Auto shop, Computer applications, Small engines.

Official data: O*NET occupation 41-2022.

More Specialized & Technical Sales careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.