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Auto mechanic salary in California
- $38,180lowest 10% earn less
- $46,58025th percentile
- $64,980median
- $77,06075th percentile
- $95,280top 10% earn more
The median auto mechanic in California earned $64,980 a year in May 2025[1]. That was $14,360 above the US median[6].
How much do auto mechanics make in California?
The median pay for an auto mechanic in California was $64,980 a year, or $31.24 an hour[1]. That means half of the workers earned more and half earned less. The average was close by at $65,470 a year[7]. Across the US the median was $50,620[3], so California's figure was $14,360 (28.4%) higher[6]. Among all jobs in the state the median was $58,240[8], and auto mechanics were $6,740 above it[9].
Pay varies a lot inside the state. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,180[2]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $95,280[2]. The middle half of auto mechanics earned between $46,580 and $77,060[2].
By metro area, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $77,840[10]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont was at $76,030 and Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom at $72,020[11]. Fresno was lower at $52,000[11]. These numbers cover wage and salary workers only. Self-employed mechanics, bonuses outside regular production pay and the cost of benefits like health insurance are not part of them[12].
California vs US pay
Pay for auto mechanics in California next to the national figures[1][3].
Pay by metro area in California
Metro areas in California with the most jobs for auto mechanics, and the median pay in each[11].
| Metro area | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[11] | $62,820 | 22,330 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,210 | 7,680 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $76,030 | 7,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $64,320 | 4,910 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,020 | 4,870 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,840 | 3,040 |
| Fresno, CA | $52,000 | 1,890 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $65,160 | 1,450 |
Pay in nearby states
Median pay for auto mechanics in the states that border California, highest first[14].
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon[14] | $58,520 | 6,990 |
| Arizona | $49,570 | 16,400 |
| Nevada | $48,290 | 7,420 |
Job outlook and training
Across the US, jobs for auto mechanics are projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: postsecondary nondegree award[16].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an auto mechanic make in California?
- The median auto mechanic in California earned $64,980 a year in May 2025[1]. The average was $65,470 a year[7].
- How much does an auto mechanic make an hour in California?
- The median was $31.24 an hour[1]. The 10th percentile wage was $18.36 an hour and the 90th percentile wage was $45.81[17].
- Which city in California pays auto mechanics the most?
- Of the 25 metro areas with a published median, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest at $77,840 a year[10].
- Is California a good state for auto mechanics?
- California had the 2nd highest median annual wage for auto mechanics among the 50 states and DC with a published median[5]. Its median was $14,360 above the US median[6].
- What do you need to become an auto mechanic in California?
- Across the US, the typical entry path is a postsecondary nondegree award, no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training[16]. This is a US figure, not a California one.
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California was $64,980 per year and $31.24 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California: 10th percentile $38,180, 25th percentile $46,580, 75th percentile $77,060, 90th percentile $95,280. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the US as a whole was $50,620 per year and $24.34 per hour, with about 704,640 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 65,420 people worked as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: California had the 2nd highest median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics out of the 50 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California ($64,980) was $14,360 (28.4%) higher than the US median ($50,620). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California was $65,470 per year and $31.47 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in California was $58,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California was $6,740 higher than the median for all occupations in the state ($58,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 25 metro areas in or partly in California with a published median for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median annual wage, $77,840. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). 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 OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the US: 10th percentile $34,660, 25th percentile $38,900, 75th percentile $70,430, 90th percentile $81,790. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in states that border California (highest first): Oregon $58,520; Arizona $49,570; Nevada $48,290. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is projected to grow 5% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 66,200 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), 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, hourly wage percentiles for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California: 10th percentile $18.36, 25th percentile $22.39, 75th percentile $37.05, 90th percentile $45.81. BLS OEWS, May 2025