How much does a auto mechanic make?
The median auto mechanic in the United States earns $49,670 per year, about $23.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all auto mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-3023.
Auto mechanic salary range
Pay for auto mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,660 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $80,850. The average (mean) wage of $55,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,660 | $16.18 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,140 | $18.34 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $23.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $65,660 | $31.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $80,850 | $38.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Auto mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Auto mechanics earn the most in District of Columbia at $71,030 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $36,320. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71,030 | 270 |
| California | $63,370 | 62,110 |
| Alaska | $61,950 | 1,390 |
| Colorado | $59,340 | 11,960 |
| New Hampshire | $58,460 | 4,510 |
| Washington | $57,790 | 13,740 |
| Maryland | $57,560 | 14,310 |
| Massachusetts | $57,470 | 12,390 |
| Minnesota | $57,470 | 13,500 |
| New Jersey | $57,290 | 16,820 |
| Montana | $57,060 | 2,720 |
| Oregon | $56,720 | 6,900 |
| Virginia | $56,320 | 17,740 |
| Connecticut | $56,220 | 6,630 |
| New York | $51,650 | 31,790 |
| North Dakota | $51,400 | 1,850 |
| Wisconsin | $50,990 | 11,710 |
| Rhode Island | $50,690 | 2,390 |
| Hawaii | $50,560 | 2,950 |
| Illinois | $50,450 | 26,710 |
| Delaware | $50,350 | 1,840 |
| Vermont | $50,010 | 1,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,790 | 29,020 |
| Arizona | $49,400 | 17,390 |
| Maine | $49,390 | 3,230 |
| Michigan | $48,840 | 20,650 |
| Nebraska | $48,810 | 4,530 |
| Georgia | $48,800 | 24,000 |
| Texas | $48,660 | 67,060 |
| North Carolina | $48,530 | 25,260 |
| Florida | $48,520 | 46,090 |
| South Dakota | $48,410 | 2,190 |
| Iowa | $48,400 | 8,060 |
| Nevada | $47,570 | 7,400 |
| Indiana | $47,550 | 15,610 |
| Tennessee | $47,460 | 16,390 |
| Idaho | $47,420 | 5,160 |
| New Mexico | $47,040 | 4,970 |
| Kansas | $47,010 | 6,380 |
| Ohio | $47,010 | 22,950 |
| Utah | $46,990 | 8,910 |
| Missouri | $46,710 | 16,810 |
| Louisiana | $46,020 | 8,050 |
| South Carolina | $45,950 | 13,950 |
| Wyoming | $45,860 | 1,500 |
| Alabama | $45,710 | 9,920 |
| Arkansas | $43,830 | 6,280 |
| Oklahoma | $41,720 | 9,390 |
| Kentucky | $39,940 | 10,910 |
| Mississippi | $38,070 | 6,410 |
| West Virginia | $36,320 | 4,450 |
State median wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for auto mechanics
The BLS projects employment of auto mechanics to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 825,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 866,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 66,200 openings a year for auto mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an auto mechanic
The typical entry-level education for auto mechanics is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an auto mechanic earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $71,030) and the lowest (West Virginia, $36,320) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 688,840 people work as auto mechanics in the United States. At $49,670 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Auto mechanic salary FAQ
How much does an auto mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an auto mechanic is $23.88. The middle half of auto mechanics earn between $18.34 and $31.57 per hour.
What is the highest auto mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of auto mechanics earn more than $80,850 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an auto mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for an auto mechanic is $49,670. The average (mean) wage of $55,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an auto mechanic a well paid job?
At $49,670 a year, an auto mechanic earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 688,840 people work as auto mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays auto mechanics the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for auto mechanics at $71,030 a year. California ($63,370) and Alaska ($61,950) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an auto mechanic a good career?
Employment of auto mechanics is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 66,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an auto mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for auto mechanics as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Installation & Repair salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.