What is a service advisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A service advisor works in the automotive industry as a liaison between customers and technicians. They assess the customer's needs, explain repair options, and provide estimates for services. A service advisor also schedules appointments, manages work orders, and ensures customer satisfaction. The role requires communication and organizational skills and an understanding of vehicle maintenance and repairs. A service advisor plays a critical role in maintaining customer trust, ensuring vehicle safety, and promoting business growth.

ScoreService AdvisorUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,308

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.9

Growth Rate -4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 6.13%

Black or African American 10.78%

Hispanic or Latino 21.08%

Unknown 5.31%

White 55.99%

Gender

female 30.64%

male 69.36%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress Level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.5

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Service Advisor?

Pros

  • Potential for high earnings through commission and bonuses

  • Opportunities for career advancement within the dealership

  • Access to company benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans

  • Opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with diverse tasks

  • Possibility for flexible scheduling or part-time hours

Cons

  • Commission-based pay structure can lead to inconsistent income

  • High-pressure sales tactics may be required to meet quotas

  • Long hours, including weekends and holidays

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or independent work

  • High turnover rate in the industry can lead to instability in employment

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Service Advisor career paths

Key steps to become a service advisor

  1. Explore service advisor education requirements

    Most common service advisor degrees

    Bachelor's

    33.4 %

    High School Diploma

    26.8 %

    Associate

    25.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific service advisor skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service7.82%
    Product Knowledge7.75%
    Basic Math7.31%
    Commercial Vehicles4.99%
    Work Ethic4.52%
  3. Complete relevant service advisor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service advisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a service advisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service advisor resumes.
  4. Research service advisor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage refurbishment of used vehicles and writing orders.
    • Manage the refurbishment of used vehicles, writing repair orders.
    • Used SQL queries to report, analyze, and manage the ongoing Y2K research progress.
    • Start as a certify Mazda technician performing routine maintenance services and repairs.
  5. Prepare your service advisor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your service advisor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a service advisor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Service Advisor Resume templates

    Build a professional Service Advisor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Service Advisor resume.
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  6. Apply for service advisor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a service advisor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Service Advisor Job

Zippi

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Average service advisor salary

The average Service Advisor salary in the United States is $46,308 per year or $22 per hour. Service advisor salaries range between $26,000 and $79,000 per year.

Average Service Advisor Salary
$46,308 Yearly
$22.26 hourly

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How do service advisors rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Service Advisor reviews

profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Helping people understand that they are not alone and to be able to help rebuild them inside and out.. It starts with understanding and compassion to let the victim/ survivor to know they have someone to reach out to.

Cons

Sometime me having to remember my trauma


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I like building relations with other companies, keeping customers satisfied and growing in all areas,


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Cons

Non caring employer's , standing on my feet all day, working weekends, low pay


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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