How much does a motorcycle mechanic make?
The median motorcycle mechanic in the United States earns $47,200 per year, about $22.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all motorcycle mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-3052.
Motorcycle mechanic salary range
Pay for motorcycle mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,770 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $70,210. The average (mean) wage of $49,650 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 | $31,770 | $15.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,270 | $18.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,200 | $22.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $58,880 | $28.31 | |
| 90th percentile | $70,210 | $33.76 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for motorcycle mechanics (SOC 49-3052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Motorcycle mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Motorcycle mechanics earn the most in North Dakota at $59,440 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $32,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $59,440 | 160 |
| California | $58,620 | 1,540 |
| New Jersey | $54,760 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $53,900 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $52,590 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $52,080 | 100 |
| Maryland | $51,690 | 50 |
| Nevada | $51,160 | 110 |
| Oregon | $50,980 | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $50,270 | 340 |
| Wyoming | $50,020 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $49,770 | 380 |
| Colorado | $49,360 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $48,970 | 70 |
| Virginia | $48,410 | 460 |
| New York | $48,280 | 400 |
| Alaska | $47,600 | 150 |
| Kansas | $47,480 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $47,430 | 250 |
| Vermont | $47,370 | 60 |
| Washington | $47,260 | 480 |
| Florida | $47,200 | 700 |
| South Dakota | $47,110 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $46,830 | 200 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,780 | 430 |
| Texas | $46,670 | 890 |
| Missouri | $46,540 | 90 |
| Maine | $46,460 | 100 |
| Arkansas | $45,590 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $45,240 | 280 |
| Montana | $44,840 | 210 |
| Michigan | $44,520 | 370 |
| Iowa | $44,370 | 320 |
| Rhode Island | $44,160 | 30 |
| Indiana | $43,920 | 540 |
| Georgia | $43,700 | 320 |
| Arizona | $43,640 | 490 |
| Alabama | $43,270 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $43,250 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $43,170 | 70 |
| Utah | $42,120 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $41,940 | 500 |
| Ohio | $41,460 | 390 |
| Illinois | $39,620 | 300 |
| Idaho | $38,840 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $38,630 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $35,080 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $32,570 | 210 |
State median wages for motorcycle mechanics (SOC 49-3052), 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 motorcycle mechanics
The BLS projects employment of motorcycle mechanics to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for motorcycle 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 a motorcycle mechanic
The typical entry-level education for motorcycle 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 a motorcycle 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 (North Dakota, $59,440) and the lowest (Mississippi, $32,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,010 people work as motorcycle mechanics in the United States. At $47,200 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Motorcycle mechanic salary FAQ
How much does a motorcycle mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a motorcycle mechanic is $22.69. The middle half of motorcycle mechanics earn between $18.40 and $28.31 per hour.
What is the highest motorcycle mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of motorcycle mechanics earn more than $70,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a motorcycle mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for a motorcycle mechanic is $47,200. The average (mean) wage of $49,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a motorcycle mechanic a well paid job?
At $47,200 a year, a motorcycle mechanic earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,010 people work as motorcycle mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays motorcycle mechanics the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for motorcycle mechanics at $59,440 a year. California ($58,620) and New Jersey ($54,760) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a motorcycle mechanic a good career?
Employment of motorcycle mechanics is projected to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a motorcycle mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for motorcycle 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.