How much does a car body builder earn?
Car body builders straighten, weld and repair vehicle bodies – in workshops, at manufacturers and in accident repair. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements, employer and specialisation. As a guide, qualified car body builders in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,100–€3,700 gross per month; during apprenticeship around €950–€1,250 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, experience, welding and alignment skills and order situation and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A car body builder works in motor vehicle workshops, body and paint shops and at vehicle manufacturers: assessing damage, measuring and aligning bodies, cutting, welding and joining parts, fitting components and preparing surfaces for painting. Everyday work includes occupational safety, precise work to manufacturer specifications and coordination with the paint shop, mechanics and customers – often under deadline pressure after accidents.
- Assess accident and corrosion damage, measure and align bodies and decide on repair methods.
- Cut, weld, bond or rivet sheets, profiles and parts – including aluminium and high-strength steels.
- Remove and refit attachments, apply dent-removal techniques and prepare surfaces for painting.
- Follow occupational safety, personal protective equipment and manufacturer repair specifications consistently.
- Coordinate with the paint shop, mechatronics and customers; document damage and working times.
- Maintain tools, measuring systems and welding equipment and meet quality standards.
