Junior

Junior Parts Counterman

The parts counter operator — handling all aspects of parts counter service for customers and technicians.

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 Countermans
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 Counterman

As a Junior Parts Counterman, you''re working the parts counter with growing independence. You''re handling customer inquiries, looking up parts, pulling from stock, processing transactions, and managing the flow of parts requests. It''s hands-on parts work at the traditional counter role.

Your day involves constant variety — phone calls, walk-in customers, technician requests, returns, and special orders. You''re using catalog systems, navigating inventory, and solving the daily puzzles of matching vehicle needs to available parts. Every customer brings a different challenge.

The counterman role is the backbone of parts operations. You''re developing the knowledge and skills that make parts departments function. The people who succeed here enjoy the problem-solving aspect, can handle multiple competing demands, and steadily build automotive expertise.

RelationshipsModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Counter volumeTech support levelInventory depthSpecializationTeam size
Counterman roles vary by operation size and type. High-volume dealers need fast countermen who can handle rush periods. Smaller shops allow more time per customer. Some countermen specialize (body parts, mechanical, electrical); others handle everything. Working alone versus with a team affects daily experience significantly.
✦ 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 Countermans (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 Counterman career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Parts expertise
Deep knowledge in specific areas creates value
2
Efficiency
Handling more customers without sacrificing quality
3
Commercial account service
Wholesale business is often more profitable
What''s the typical counter volume and pace?
Is this primarily retail, commercial, or service technician support?
What''s the team structure at the counter?
Are there opportunities to develop specialty expertise?
What systems and catalogs are used?
✦ 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

SpeakingActive ListeningPersuasionReading ComprehensionService OrientationSocial 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.