Junior

Junior Parts Counter Person

The parts department frontliner — serving customers at the counter with automotive parts needs.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
E
S
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Junior Parts Counter Persons
Employment concentration · ~389 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Junior Parts Counter Person

As a Junior Parts Counter Person, you''re working the customer-facing parts counter. You''re helping walk-in customers find parts, answering phones, processing transactions, and learning the automotive parts business. It''s the standard entry point into parts counter careers.

Your day involves a mix of customer interactions, parts lookups, register work, and learning. You''re asking experienced colleagues questions, building knowledge through repetition, and developing efficiency on the catalog systems. Every day brings variety — different vehicles, different repairs, different customer needs.

The work builds on itself. Early on, you''re dependent on others for complex lookups. Over time, you handle more independently. The people who advance are active learners who ask questions, remember answers, and build expertise systematically.

RelationshipsModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Store environmentLearning supportCustomer typesInventory systemsCommercial accounts
Parts counter person roles vary by employer. Chain stores have standardized training. Independent stores offer varied experience but less structure. Dealerships focus on single brands. The mix of retail versus commercial customers affects daily work. Some operations have dedicated phone and counter roles; others combine them.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Junior Parts Counter Persons (SOC 41-2022.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Junior Parts Counter Person career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Vehicle identification
Accurate VIN decoding prevents wrong parts
2
Parts system proficiency
Fast lookups increase productivity
3
Automotive knowledge
Understanding repairs enables better recommendations
What does training look like for new counter staff?
Who would I be learning from on the team?
What''s the typical pace — steady or constant rush?
Is there both retail and commercial business here?
What are typical work hours and schedule?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$28K–$62K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
265K
U.S. Employment
+3.1%
10yr Growth
30K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingPersuasionService OrientationReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingMonitoringTime ManagementJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-2022.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.