As expected, wages vary by trading area as well. In addition to monetary compensation, managers receive a number of fringe benefits as part of their total compensation package. Similar compensation ranges exist when looking at the income of import specialist technicians. As with managers, technicians earnings decrease with a corresponding decline in the population size of the trading area. Big cities, with a larger population base, offer more customers and prospects, more business for repair shops and more money in the pockets of the technicians who service their vehicles.
Technicians also receive several benefits as part of their total compensation package.
Certification plays a role in compensation. Certification is both encouraged and rewarded, as it is viewed by shop owners as an image-building tool and motivational factor. Several factors come into play regarding a shop owner s decision to provide pay increases for technicians. Similar trading area variances exist within this category, too. The 1999 ImportCar Salary Survey was conducted by Babcox research, a Division of Babcox Publications.