All careers › Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Auto mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $34,660lowest 10% earn less
- $38,90025th percentile
- $50,620median
- $70,43075th percentile
- $81,790top 10% earn more
Auto mechanics earned a median of $50,620 a year, a little under the median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow faster than the average for all jobs[3][4].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5%[3]
- Openings per year
- 66,200[6]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[7]
How much do auto mechanics make?
BLS counts this job under the title Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. In May 2025 the median wage was $50,620 a year, or $24.34 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so this job sits just under it[2]. The mean (average) wage was higher, at $56,420 a year and $27.13 an hour[8].
Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,660 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $81,790[5]. BLS publishes percentile wages and not a starting salary, so the lower figures should not be read as pay for new workers[9].
| Level | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[5][10] | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| 25th percentile[5][10] | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Median[1] | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| 75th percentile[5][10] | $70,430 | $33.86 |
| 90th percentile[5][10] | $81,790 | $39.32 |
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 14.6% of auto mechanics were self-employed in 2025, so their earnings are not in the figures above[12].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest state median at $68,660, but it had only 310 jobs[13]. California came next at $64,980 with 65,420 jobs, followed by Colorado at $61,280[13]. The lowest state medians were West Virginia at $37,660 and Mississippi at $37,820[13].
Texas had the most jobs at 69,750[14]. California (65,420), Florida (49,930), New York (32,020) and Illinois (29,510) followed[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the highest medians were all in California[15]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara led at $77,840, then Napa at $76,450 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $76,030[15]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City (28,420 jobs), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (22,330) and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (20,140)[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[13] | $68,660 | 310 |
| California | $64,980 | 65,420 |
| Colorado | $61,280 | 12,300 |
| Alaska | $60,840 | 1,420 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 | 12,710 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 | 6,960 |
| Virginia | $59,330 | 17,880 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 | 4,840 |
| Montana | $58,740 | 2,900 |
| Oregon | $58,520 | 6,990 |
| Delaware | $58,410 | 1,910 |
| Minnesota | $58,390 | 11,980 |
| Maryland | $57,520 | 14,230 |
| North Dakota | $57,360 | 2,140 |
| Washington | $57,270 | 12,930 |
| New Jersey | $56,610 | 17,640 |
| Wisconsin | $54,350 | 12,270 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | 22,280 |
| New York | $54,120 | 32,020 |
| Hawaii | $52,160 | 2,710 |
| Maine | $52,040 | 3,390 |
| Rhode Island | $51,770 | 2,530 |
| Vermont | $51,630 | 1,610 |
| Wyoming | $51,330 | 1,560 |
| South Dakota | $51,160 | 2,010 |
| Nebraska | $50,560 | 4,560 |
| Iowa | $50,510 | 7,610 |
| Tennessee | $50,290 | 16,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,800 | 29,400 |
| Arizona | $49,570 | 16,400 |
| Indiana | $49,360 | 16,480 |
| Illinois | $49,170 | 29,510 |
| Missouri | $49,160 | 17,210 |
| Georgia | $49,060 | 22,070 |
| Ohio | $48,710 | 22,640 |
| Idaho | $48,420 | 5,030 |
| Texas | $48,310 | 69,750 |
| Nevada | $48,290 | 7,420 |
| Florida | $48,260 | 49,930 |
| North Carolina | $48,200 | 26,510 |
| South Carolina | $48,100 | 13,420 |
| Kansas | $47,790 | 6,240 |
| New Mexico | $47,300 | 5,080 |
| Utah | $46,570 | 9,350 |
| Oklahoma | $46,560 | 8,870 |
| Louisiana | $46,400 | 8,620 |
| Alabama | $45,640 | 9,040 |
| Kentucky | $44,890 | 11,140 |
| Arkansas | $44,160 | 7,310 |
| Mississippi | $37,820 | 7,410 |
| West Virginia | $37,660 | 4,490 |
How to become an auto mechanic
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related job and short-term on-the-job training[7]. In practice there are two routes[17].
- Step one: Take a program[18]. High schools, community colleges and technical institutes offer automotive service programs that mix classroom lessons with hands-on practice. They may lead to a certificate or an associate's degree[18]. Some are run with car makers or dealers and focus on one type of vehicle[18]. High school classes in auto repair, electronics, computers and math may help[19].
- Step two: Learn on the job[20]. Some people start without a program and build skills at work[20]. They may begin as trainee technicians, helpers or lubrication workers and learn from experienced staff[21].
- Step three: Finish training at work[22]. Program graduates may need a fairly short stretch of on-the-job training, and people without a program usually need longer[22][21]. Some workers do an apprenticeship that pairs paid work with classroom instruction[23].
- Step four: Get the required refrigerant certification[24]. The EPA says technicians that purchase refrigerants or handle them on the job need certification in refrigerant handling. No formal test preparation is required[24].
- Step five: Consider industry certifications[25]. Employers may require or prefer them, and some pay for them[25]. Certifications exist in specialty areas such as brakes, automatic transmissions and electrical systems[26]. Applicants typically need previous experience and must pass an exam[27].
The facts we use do not give a set number of months or years for this path. The amount of training varies[22].
What auto mechanics do
O*NET describes the job as diagnosing, adjusting, repairing or overhauling cars and similar vehicles[28]. Typical tasks include:
- Working through inspection checklists that cover belts, hoses, steering, brakes, fuel systems and wheel bearings[29].
- Looking over vehicles for damage and writing down what needs repair[29].
- Doing routine service such as oil changes, lubrication and tune-ups[29].
- Repairing and adjusting brakes[29].
- Aligning wheels and front ends with special equipment[29].
- Servicing air conditioning, heating, engine cooling and electrical systems[29].
- Testing repaired systems against the maker's performance specifications[29].
- Reviewing work orders and talking over the work with supervisors[29].
Technicians also talk with customers about problems and repair options, so courtesy and good listening matter[30].
Where they work
Auto mechanics typically work in repair shops that are well ventilated and well lit[31]. Computers help find problems, yet the work often involves greasy parts and tools, awkward positions and lifting heavy items such as tires[31]. Technicians usually stand for most of the day and may face fumes, chemicals and noise. Sometimes they work outdoors in any weather[32].
BLS says this occupation has one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations. Safe lifting, protective gear and steel-toed shoes lower the risk[33]. BLS says most service technicians work full time, and evening or weekend work may be required[34]. Automobile dealers were the largest employer, accounting for 32% of jobs in 2025[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035[3]. That is from about 825,800 to 866,700 jobs, a gain of 40,900[3]. For all occupations the projected growth is 3.5%[4]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[3].
The projections also show about 66,200 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or switch occupations, and not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[36].
The wage survey counts about 704,640 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[37]. The projections count more because they include self-employed workers[3].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is close to the all-occupations median, with a wide gap between the lower and upper ends[1][2][5]. Pay also varies by place, with California metros paying the most[15]. The way in is flexible, since workers typically complete a program, though some learn on the job, though refrigerant certification is required[17][24]. Job growth is a little faster than the average for all jobs[3][4]. The work is physical and carries one of the highest injury rates of any occupation[33]. People who like hands-on work and talking with customers may find the facts line up with that[29][30].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an auto mechanic make an hour?
- The median was $24.34 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $16.66 and the 90th was $39.32[10].
- What education do you need to be an auto mechanic?
- BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical, and some workers enter with a high school diploma and learn on the job[7][17].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the US was $50,620 per year and $24.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 825,800 to 866,700 jobs (a change of +40,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: 10th percentile $34,660, 25th percentile $38,900, 75th percentile $70,430, 90th percentile $81,790. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 66,200 openings for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics was $56,420 per year and $27.13 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: 10th percentile $16.66, 25th percentile $18.70, 75th percentile $33.86, 90th percentile $39.32. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 14.6% of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics jobs: Texas 69,750; California 65,420; Florida 49,930; New York 32,020; Illinois 29,510. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $77,840; Napa, CA $76,450; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $76,030; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $75,080; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $72,020; Vallejo, CA $69,710; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $65,160; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $64,320. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 28,420 (median $57,760); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 22,330 (median $62,820); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 20,140 (median $55,320); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 17,690 (median $49,720); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 14,910 (median $50,940); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 12,700 (median $58,460). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of automotive service technicians and mechanics in 2025: Automobile dealers 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 704,640 people were employed as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.