How Much do Mechanics Make?

Depending on where you live and work, auto mechanic salaries can vary. Here we address the question, how much do mechanics make?

When headed out of high school or transitioning careers, potential salary is an important thing to consider. The automotive repair industry can provide a lucrative career, but the salaries can vary because of several different factors.

Here we will look at a variety of aspects to answer the question, “How much do mechanics make?” Everything from the state you live in, the specific industry you work in, and any specializations you may have will impact your mechanic salary. All of the statistics used have been retrieved directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mechanic Salaries by State

Mechanic pay can vary all across the country. Here you can compare how much mechanics make in different states. Already know what state you want to go to school in? Check out all mechanic schools here.

Alabama

Lowest 10% – $22,070

Average – $38,890

Highest 10% – $62,880

Total Employed – 8,170

Alaska

Lowest 10% – $28,840

Average – $55,420

Highest 10% – $83,040

Total Employed – 1,740

Arizona

Lowest 10% – $23,400

Average – $41,370

Highest 10% – $65,630

Total Employed – 13,850

Arkansas

Lowest 10% – $22,230

Average – $35,190

Highest 10% – $59,130

Total Employed – 5,670

California

Lowest 10% – $26,700

Average – $45,840

Highest 10% – $75,460

Total Employed – 65,210

Colorado

Lowest 10% – $25,160

Average – $46,220

Highest 10% – $73,130

Total Employed – 11,730

Connecticut

Lowest 10% – $27,540

Average – $48,440

Highest 10% – $74,990

Total Employed – 8,330

Delaware

Lowest 10% – $24,500

Average – $42,470

Highest 10% – $65,220

Total Employed – 1,850

Florida

Lowest 10% – $21,790

Average – $36,710

Highest 10% – $62,600

Total Employed – 45,770

Georgia

Lowest 10% – $21,860

Average – $40,150

Highest 10% – $64,800

Total Employed – 20,420

Hawaii

Lowest 10% – $25,080

Average – $45,650

Highest 10% – $65,350

Total Employed – 2,580

Idaho

Lowest 10% – $24,480

Average – $39,540

Highest 10% – $60,890

Total Employed – 4,000

Illinois

Lowest 10% – $22,840

Average – $42,970

Highest 10% – $77,150

Total Employed – 27,250

Indiana

Lowest 10% – $23,810

Average – $37,730

Highest 10% – $62,480

Total Employed – 15,190

Iowa

Lowest 10% – $23,580

Average – $40,190

Highest 10% – $63,320

Total Employed – 7,650

Kansas

Lowest 10% – $23,190

Average – $38,090

Highest 10% – $61,390

Total Employed – 6,560

Kentucky

Lowest 10% – $20,700

Average – $34,900

Highest 10% – $60,950

Total Employed – 8,350

Louisiana

Lowest 10% – $20,310

Average – $37,400

Highest 10% – $62,360

Total Employed – 7,820

Maine

Lowest 10% – $25,030

Average – $36,690

Highest 10% – $57,670

Total Employed – 4,050

Maryland

Lowest 10% – $26,240

Average – $48,130

Highest 10% – $76,460

Total Employed – 12,030

Massachusetts

Lowest 10% – $25,780

Average – $43,200

Highest 10% – $67,080

Total Employed – 14,970

Michigan

Lowest 10% – $21,540

Average – $38,630

Highest 10% – $64,540

Total Employed – 19,360

Minnesota

Lowest 10% – $24,700

Average – $40,350

Highest 10% – $62,160

Total Employed – 11,950

Mississippi

Lowest 10% – $19,790

Average – $35,000

Highest 10% – $62,100

Total Employed – 5,460

Missouri

Lowest 10% – $23,180

Average – $42,050

Highest 10% – $63,070

Total Employed – 16,530

Montana

Lowest 10% – $21,420

Average – $37,370

Highest 10% – $61,500

Total Employed – 2,920

Nebraska

Lowest 10% – $22,630

Average – $41,430

Highest 10% – $63,730

Total Employed – 4,830

Nevada

Lowest 10% – $26,260

Average – $43,570

Highest 10% – $70,260

Total Employed – 5,200

New Hampshire

Lowest 10% – $26,950

Average – $43,060

Highest 10% – $65,830

Total Employed – 3,540

New Jersey

Lowest 10% – $23,250

Average – $48.790

Highest 10% – $75,500

Total Employed – 14,810

New Mexico

Lowest 10% – $19,830

Average – $35,820

Highest 10% – $64,140

Total Employed – 4,390

New York

Lowest 10% – $23,950

Average – $39,990

Highest 10% – $71,140

Total Employed – 34,370

North Carolina

Lowest 10% – $21,270

Average – $39,390

Highest 10% – $63,250

Total Employed – 22,610

North Dakota

Lowest 10% – $26,260

Average – $42,710

Highest 10% – $66,060

Total Employed – 2,330

Ohio

Lowest 10% – $21,380

Average – $37,630

Highest 10% – $62,710

Total Employed – 23,220

Oklahoma

Lowest 10% – $21,220

Average – $37,710

Highest 10% – $63,390

Total Employed – 7,300

Oregon

Lowest 10% – $26,590

Average – $43,530

Highest 10% – $67,310

Total Employed – 6,840

Pennsylvania

Lowest 10% – $22,140

Average – $38,930

Highest 10% – $61,330

Total Employed – 30,390

Rhode Island

Lowest 10% – $23,880

Average – $37,610

Highest 10% – $61,300

Total Employed – 2,430

South Carolina

Lowest 10% – $21,630

Average – $37,750

Highest 10% – $61,460

Total Employed – 10,620

South Dakota

Lowest 10% – $26,930

Average – $39,720

Highest 10% – $59,680

Total Employed – 2,000

Tennessee

Lowest 10% – $22,120

Average – $37,520

Highest 10% – $62,010

Total Employed – 14,800

Texas

Lowest 10% – $23,350

Average – $40,570

Highest 10% – $68,730

Total Employed – 50,500

Utah

Lowest 10% – $21,730

Average – $39,880

Highest 10% – $69,860

Total Employed – 6,460

Vermont

Lowest 10% – $28,270

Average – $39,890

Highest 10% – $56,440

Total Employed – 1,670

Virginia

Lowest 10% – $23,770

Average – $45,640

Highest 10% – $75,280

Total Employed – 19,650

Washington

Lowest 10% – $29,330

Average – $47,590

Highest 10% – $73,800

Total Employed – 13,420

West Virginia

Lowest 10% – $20,620

Average – $31,590

Highest 10% – $54,620

Total Employed – 3,800

Wisconsin

Lowest 10% – $25,410

Average – $38,450

Highest 10% – $60,780

Total Employed – 11,650

Wyoming

Lowest 10% – $27,020

Average – $45,240

Highest 10% – $67,900

Total Employed – 1,420

Auto Mechanic Salaries by Industry

Although a majority of mechanics find themselves working in the automotive repair industry, this is not the only industry to work in. Many different industries require automotive maintenance giving mechanics a wide variety of workplaces to choose from.

You will see that the most popular industry is the general automotive repair industry. This consists of the typical workplaces for mechanics like auto shops. Many mechanics begin their career in the auto repair industry before moving on to continue wrenching elsewhere. As a result of the high population of mechanics in this industry, the salaries can vary all across the board. In all, the automotive repair and maintenance industry is a great place to gain experience. So, how much do mechanics make in this industry? Read on to find out.

Perhaps the most glamorous of these industries is also the highest paid, the spectator sports industry. Mechanic salaries in the spectator sports world can range anywhere around $65,000. This includes mechanics for major sporting leagues like NASCAR and others. Of course, all of this depends on the team and the league. Some mechanics may make more and some may make less, but if you desire to work in sports, this is a great yet competitive industry.

These are some of the best industries to work in for auto mechanics.

Automotive Repair and Maintenance

$46,390/year

Employment: 100,910
Average Hourly Wage: $22.31

Postal Service (Federal Government)

$63,560/year

Employment: 190
Average Hourly Wage: $30.56

Local Government (OES Designation)

$59,100/year

Employment: 800
Average Hourly Wage: $28.41

Other Motor Vehicle Dealers

$44,100/year

Employment: 570
Average Hourly Wage: $21.20

Employment Services

$37,700/year

Employment: 930
Average Hourly Wage: $18.13

Spectator Sports

$63,580/year

Employment: 27,040
Average Hourly Wage: $30.57

Federal Executive Branch

$60,760/year

Employment: 150
Average Hourly Wage: $29.21

Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores

$43,110/year

Employment: 1,860
Average Hourly Wage: $20.73

Motor Vehicle and Parts and Suppliers Merchant Wholesalers

$45,060/year

Employment: 3,280
Average Hourly Wage: $21.66

Automobile Dealers

$46,240/year

Employment: 27,040
Average Hourly Wage: $22.23

Specialty Mechanic Salaries

Lastly, let’s take a look at the potential salary if you decide to specialize as a mechanic. Specializing can create more of a demand around your work which can produce higher paychecks. There are many different ways you can specialize from becoming a manager or specializing on a specific repair or manufacturer. Below are some of the more popular specializations and how much they make.

Specialization	Total Employed	Average Hourly Wage	Average Annual Salary
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	131,690	$31.36	$65,230
Rail Car Repairers	24,720	$26.93	$56,020
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics (Not Engines)	140,260	$25.66	$53,370
Diesel Vehicle and Engine Specialists	264,860	$23.63	$49,150
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	142,060	$22.34	$46,460
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	22,280	$20.35	$42,330
Farm Equipment Mechanics	34,300	$20.29	$42,190
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians	15,560	$19.28	$40,090
Motorcycle Mechanics	15,090	$18.87	$39,260
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engines	31,760	$17.76	$36,940
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers	19,640	$17.49	$36,370
Tire Repairers and Changers	111,620	$14.20	$29,530

Mechanic Salaries FAQ

How much do mechanics make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for auto mechanics is $21.02 with an average annual salary of $43,730.

How much do mechanics make at a dealership?

One of the largest industries that mechanics work in are auto dealerships. Here, mechanics can expect to earn an hourly wage of about $22.23 and an average annual salary of $46,240.

How much does a master technician make?

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report exactly on how much a master technician makes, the top 10% of auto mechanics make around $65,000. Therefore, it is safe to assume that master technicians make around $65,000.

How much does a certified mechanic make?

Certified mechanics make up a large portion of auto mechanics in the United States. They will make around the average salary for the industry which is $21.02 per hour and $43,730 per year. Starting out, mechanics will make less until they gain their certifications and earn pay-raises to get up to the average. From there, the more experience and certifications you have, the more you will get paid.

How much do NASCAR mechanics make?

Although this will vary greatly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that mechanics who work in spectator sports earn an average hourly wage of $30.57 and an average annual salary of $63,580.

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