Mid-Level

Parts Consultant

The automotive parts expert — providing consultative guidance on parts selection and vehicle 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 Parts Consultants
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 Parts Consultant

As a Parts Consultant, you provide expert guidance to customers on parts selection for their vehicles. The "consultant" framing emphasizes advisory service — understanding customer needs and recommending appropriate parts rather than just filling orders.

Your day involves customer consultations, technical problem-solving, and parts sales. You might help a customer diagnose why their vehicle isn't running right, recommend the appropriate replacement parts, explain installation considerations, and ensure they have everything needed for the job.

If you have deep vehicle knowledge and enjoy helping people solve mechanical problems, parts consulting puts that expertise to work. The challenge is maintaining broad knowledge and handling customers with varying technical backgrounds. The people who succeed are naturally helpful and genuinely knowledgeable.

RelationshipsModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Customer expertise levelProduct scopeTechnical support depthEmployer typeCommission structure
Parts consulting varies by customer base. DIY-focused stores serve customers who need more guidance. Professional-focused stores serve customers who know what they need. Technical depth expectations and training vary 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 Parts Consultants (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 Parts Consultant career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Diagnostic thinking
Understanding problems helps recommend solutions
2
Technical communication
Explaining to various expertise levels
3
Comprehensive selling
Ensuring customers have everything needed
What is the typical customer — DIY or professional?
What training and technical resources are provided?
What is the compensation structure?
What are the typical hours?
What advancement opportunities exist?
✦ 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.