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 | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

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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