DealersEdge Professional Forums

Hello group.

I am currently an auto technician. I have worked in a dealership environment in the past, but for the last 12 years I've worked for a large daily rental car company.

I'm getting sick of wrenching and I'm considering seeking a job as a SA in a dealership. I have experience dealing with the public and I'm a dedicated worker. I'm not familiar with the various dealership computer systems (ADP, R&R, etc.) but I'm a quick study.

I live about 25 miles south of Philadelphia, PA and currently earn about $45K/yr. as a technician. How much can I expect to earn as a Service Advisor?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

It really all depends on the size of the dealership, the GM's views on salary structure, and most importantly - your motivation.

Yeah, I hate to say "it depends" too - but it really does.

Here's my quick way to decide for myself - I figure 5% of total sales I generate as a base. That is if I write $45,000 in labor (CP, Int, WTY) a month I'd want at least $2,250. (Nothing to retire or even live on.)

Another way to think of it is that as a tech you probably took 30% of the labor sale. Now you're only getting paid 5% but you're getting that on 5-6 techs.

Back to the motivation - if you're paid on gross labor sales then selling 2.0 hours per RO over 1.5hrs gives you a 33% raise.




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** Rob, Editor WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

Just as much as motivation, do you have the skill to build a trusting relationship with the customer to the point you can sell them again and again what they need.

The hardest part of a tech becoming a service advisor is to quit diagnosing and repairing the problem, and being able to communicate and sell the services of the department at a profit.

Absolutely ronc925! It will be hard to get in the mindset of selling the diagnosis process, if you tell the customer what the problem is when they tell you what symptoms are occurring. This may sound chauvanistic, but that's why women generally are able to sell more service hours, they don't try to diagnose the problem for the customer, they simply sell the service department's ability to do so.