20 Jobs in the Electric Car Industry (With Salaries)

Updated April 18, 2024

A career in the automotive industry can be a rewarding and exciting opportunity for many professionals. There are a growing number of positions available for car enthusiasts to work with both traditional gas and electric vehicles. If you enjoy keeping updated with the latest automotive trends, you might be interested in working with electric cars. In this article, we list 20 jobs in the electric car industry, explore the primary job duties associated with each role and share the average salary for each position.Related: 7 Important Certifications for Automotive Companies

What is the electric car industry?

The electric car industry is a subset of the automotive industry that focuses on producing vehicles that operate using electricity instead of fossil fuels. These vehicles get their power through charging ports that have access to an electric grid. Then they store this power in rechargeable batteries that operate electric motors. The electric car industry features a wide range of vehicles that boast more environmentally friendly and sustainable designs.Related: How To Become an Auto Electrician

15 jobs in the electric car industry

Here are 15 jobs in the electric car industry that you can explore. The average national salary for each of the positions listed below is equal to or greater than $55,787 per year. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries:

1. Mechatronics technician

National average salary: $72,901 per yearPrimary duties: Mechatronics technicians are automotive professionals who have cross-sectional experience working in several areas, including electrical engineering, chemical engineering and software engineering. Their broad skill set allows them to work on a wide variety of projects in the electric car industry. Mechatronics technicians often assist with the overall design of electric vehicles as well as developing power train components. They may also oversee the assembly of robotics parts.

2. Marketing manager

National average salary: $70,297 per yearPrimary duties: Marketing managers develop advertising campaigns for a wide variety of products and services, including electric vehicles. They may collaborate with designers, product managers and sales teams to create branding materials for each new model. This often includes taglines, written copy, color schemes, product names and font choices. Then they work with other creative professionals to develop videos, photos, graphics and verbiage to promote the vehicle and increase revenue.Read more: Learn About Being a Marketing Manager

3. Auto body technician

National average salary: $74,766 per yearPrimary duties: Auto body technicians repair damaged vehicles. They fix car frames, dents, suspensions, windows and wheels. These automotive professionals typically focus on repairing the exterior, non-mechanical parts of cars, which means they can work on both electric and traditional vehicles. Auto body technicians work with customers to provide cost estimates and communicate updates regarding the timeline for each repair.

4. Auto estimator

National average salary: $70,693 per yearPrimary duties: Auto estimators assess damaged vehicles and develop repair quotes for customers. They work with vendors and insurance companies to determine a reasonable price. Auto estimators may inspect a vehicle in person, review photos of the damage or analyze video evidence of the accident. This can help them determine what condition the car was in previously. Auto estimators prepare quotes for a wide range of vehicles, including electric cars.

5. Site surveyor

National average salary: $73,189 per yearPrimary duties: Site surveyors identify and analyze locations for new electric vehicle charging stations. They use data to make strategic decisions about where to place each of these locations to ensure people who own electric vehicles have access to them. They also provide suggestions to improve charger utilization, generate reports and share their findings with key stakeholders.

6. Industrial designer

National average salary: $71,688 per yearPrimary duties: An industrial designer develops concepts and blueprints for products, including electric vehicles. They rely on their engineering background and creativity to create layouts of different vehicle models and design individual components like fenders, doors, mirrors and headlamps. Industrial designers also create and test prototypes. They collaborate with auto engineers to create efficient, innovative and visually appealing electric vehicle designs.

7. Automotive service manager

National average salary: $72,735 per yearPrimary duties: Automotive service managers supervise dealerships and service centers. They're responsible for hiring and training new employees, establishing business objectives and developing market plans to increase revenue. Automotive service managers often collaborate with other senior leaders to track their team's progress and identify opportunities for improvement. They also maintain inventory, update service records and resolve customer issues.

8. Car sales executive

National average salary: $74,658 per yearPrimary duties: Car sales executives assist customers by helping them find the right vehicle to purchase based on their budgets and needs. They explain the different benefits and features of each model, encourage customers to test drive vehicles and guide them through the payment process. Car sales executives collaborate closely with the marketing team to promote new models and achieve their sales goals.

9. Mechanical engineer

National average salary: $89,424 per yearPrimary duties: Mechanical engineers develop and test electric vehicles. They assist with the initial design of each vehicle and oversee the production of parts. Mechanical engineers also develop the thermal systems electric vehicles need to run. Often they use advanced software applications to create 2D and 3D models, analyze blueprints and troubleshoot potential design flaws.Read more: Learn About Being a Mechanical Engineer

10. Chemical engineer

National average salary: $93,265 per yearPrimary duties: Chemical engineers often work on batteries for electric vehicles. They use their knowledge of chemistry to assess the design, manufacture lithium ion cells and assemble battery packs. Chemical engineers also work with car manufacturers to determine the safest ways to recycle used batteries and other materials.Read more: Learn About Being a Chemical Engineer

11. Process engineer

National average salary: $88,975 per yearPrimary duties: A process engineer oversees the production process of electric vehicles. They establish and maintain automated systems, track the progress of team members and resolve technical issues when they arise. Process engineers also use their knowledge of manufacturing systems and machines to identify opportunities to improve processes and increase production. Often, they're responsible for supervising an entire automotive plant.Read more: Learn About Being a Process Engineer

12. Electrical engineer

National average salary: $95,119 per yearPrimary duties: Electrical engineers help design, select and implement the batteries that power electric vehicles. They also test battery packs, create wire harnesses for multifold functions and develop electric vehicle charging solutions. Electrical engineers are often involved in quality control tests to ensure each component of electric vehicles work properly.Read more: Learn About Being an Electrical Engineer

13. Communications engineer

National average salary: $105,217 per yearPrimary duties: Communications engineers create firmware that manages the battery system of electric vehicles. They're also responsible for designing the infotainment system and integrating power electronics into each vehicle. In addition to this, communications engineers manufacture and install vehicle sensors.

14. Software engineer

National average salary: $108,896 per yearPrimary duties: Software engineers design and implement software systems that support the technology found in electric vehicles. They use programming languages, codes and algorithms to develop advanced features, such as automatic parking and lane assist. Software engineers also test these technology programs, troubleshoot issues and develop upgrades.Read more: Learn About Being a Software Engineer

15. Director of product management

National average salary: $161,903 per yearPrimary duties: A director of product management oversees the design and implementation of electric vehicles and charging stations. They work closely with the sales and marketing teams to create vehicles that meet consumer demand and increase revenue. Directors of product management also collaborate with designers, researchers and engineers to create new and improved product features. They use research to assess which markets to explore so they can expand their organization.

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5 additional jobs in the electric car industry

Here are five additional jobs in the electric car industry that you can research. The average national salary for each of the positions listed below is greater than $34,000 per year. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries: