If your love of automobiles goes beyond the desire to drive the hottest new car off the Lexus or Mercedes-Benz assembly line, then perhaps you are suited for a job in the automotive industry. But let’s be honest; not all of us are inclined to get in the pit and risk getting burned with hot motor oil on a daily basis. In fact, most people aren’t particularly keen on the back-breaking labor that can be demanded by certain jobs in the wide world of mechanical maintenance. And yet, there are all kinds of jobs related to vehicles, including design, marketing, and even selling cars or insurance. But if you’re looking for some of the best jobs for those of us who have mad love for anything vehicular, here are a few of the best options for employment.

1. Curator. Who wouldn’t love to spend their days seeking out rare and desirable automobiles to add to a growing collection? As a curator you could build a collection for a museum, a private collector, or even for personal gratification (if you happen to be fabulously wealthy). Okay, so that last one is really more of a hobby than a job. But if you have been going to classic car rallies for years and you have the knowledge and skill to spot the real deal, you could be an invaluable asset to any person, company, or car museum seeking a curator.
2. Classic car restoration. People who restore classic cars tend to have a love hate relationship with the subject of their occupation, and there’s no denying that finding the original parts needed to return an automobile to mint condition can be both frustrating and expensive. But of course, this can also be an extremely rewarding career choice, not only because you take something busted and return it to a beautiful, working condition, but also because you can often find ways to buy old clunkers on the cheap, fix them up, and turn around and sell them for a ton of dough to collectors.
3. Designer. Automotive engineering is one of the few fields in the industry that requires not only extensive schooling, but also a high degree of both technical and creative prowess. On the upside, you may get a shot at designing the cars of the future, which comes with a degree of both fame and fortune. There aren’t too many automotive positions that offer that potential.
4. Eco-innovator. Green cars are becoming more prevalent, a trend that only looks to grow in the coming years as petroleum resources are further depleted and governments, automakers, and consumers seek ways to reduce carbon emissions. You can be part of this technological revolution and do your part for the environment by seeking a career in alternative fuels, electric engine design, or some other field related to the eco-car industry.
5. Auto mechanic. Some of us love cars enough to get down and dirty. I am of course referring to that rare breed that wants nothing more than a free Sunday afternoon spent with a box full of automotive tools and an engine that needs a tune-up. If your love affair with mechanical modes of transportation goes beyond whistling as a 1963 Corvette split-window coup rolls by or feeling your heart race when you slide behind the wheel of a Ferrari Enzo; if you’d rather put on your coveralls and get under the hood of a Ford truck, a tricked-out Toyota Supra, or a Cooper BMW; then perhaps becoming an auto mechanic will provide you with the fulfilling career you’ve been seeking.