Best cities for an auto mechanic
The best cities for auto mechanics are Lexington, KY, Gilbert, AZ, and Detroit, MI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for auto mechanics vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for auto mechanics in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an auto mechanic or considering a move, this list of the best cities for auto mechanics to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for auto mechanics. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an auto mechanic. While the absolute best city for auto mechanics is Lexington, KY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for auto mechanics in 2024.
If you're looking for an auto mechanic job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for auto mechanics in 2026
1. Lexington, KY
Total auto mechanic jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $44,522 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 1.69 2. Gilbert, AZ
Total auto mechanic jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $43,990 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 4.36 3. Detroit, MI
Total auto mechanic jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $42,247 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 2.00 4. Tucson, AZ
Total auto mechanic jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $43,512 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 3.42 5. Kansas City, MO
Total auto mechanic jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $46,742 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 0.66 6. Garland, TX
Total auto mechanic jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $41,346 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 1.90 7. Minneapolis, MN
Total auto mechanic jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $45,436 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 0.56 8. Chandler, AZ
Total auto mechanic jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $44,018 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 0.71 9. Corpus Christi, TX
Total auto mechanic jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $42,039 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 1.54 10. Arlington, TX
Total auto mechanic jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $41,500 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.73
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Best cities for auto mechanics
- Lexington, KY
- Gilbert, AZ
- Detroit, MI
- Tucson, AZ
- Kansas City, MO
- Garland, TX
- Minneapolis, MN
- Chandler, AZ
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Arlington, TX
- (3 auto mechanic jobs)
- (3 auto mechanic jobs)
- (12 auto mechanic jobs)
- (11 auto mechanic jobs)
- (4 auto mechanic jobs)
- (1 auto mechanic jobs)
- (6 auto mechanic jobs)
- (2 auto mechanic jobs)
- (1 auto mechanic jobs)
- (1 auto mechanic jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an auto mechanic
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington, KY | $44,522 | $31,000 | 318,449 | 3 |
| 2 | Gilbert, AZ | $43,990 | $31,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $42,247 | $28,000 | 672,795 | 12 |
| 4 | Tucson, AZ | $43,512 | $30,000 | 530,706 | 11 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $46,742 | $33,000 | 481,420 | 4 |
| 6 | Garland, TX | $41,346 | $29,000 | 234,943 | 1 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $45,436 | $31,000 | 413,651 | 6 |
| 8 | Chandler, AZ | $44,018 | $31,000 | 247,477 | 2 |
| 9 | Corpus Christi, TX | $42,039 | $28,000 | 325,733 | 1 |
| 10 | Arlington, TX | $41,500 | $29,000 | 392,772 | 1 |
| 11 | Saint Louis, MO | $46,570 | $33,000 | 311,404 | 4 |
| 12 | Plano, TX | $41,332 | $29,000 | 286,057 | 8 |
| 13 | Wichita, KS | $40,022 | $29,000 | 389,902 | 2 |
| 14 | Aurora, CO | $45,922 | $33,000 | 361,710 | 4 |
| 15 | Memphis, TN | $39,692 | $28,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 16 | Louisville, KY | $44,413 | $31,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 17 | Austin, TX | $41,898 | $29,000 | 947,890 | 9 |
| 18 | Newark, NJ | $46,882 | $29,000 | 281,764 | 2 |
| 19 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,159 | $31,000 | 1,615,017 | 7 |
| 20 | Nashville, TN | $39,945 | $28,000 | 660,388 | 3 |
| 21 | Milwaukee, WI | $42,999 | $29,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 22 | Madison, WI | $42,904 | $29,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 23 | Toledo, OH | $35,357 | $24,000 | 278,508 | 3 |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | $49,961 | $34,000 | 704,352 | 7 |
| 25 | Oakland, CA | $49,682 | $33,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 26 | Bakersfield, CA | $46,841 | $31,000 | 376,380 | 3 |
| 27 | Houston, TX | $41,767 | $29,000 | 2,303,482 | 13 |
| 28 | Philadelphia, PA | $38,762 | $24,000 | 1,567,872 | 9 |
| 29 | Pittsburgh, PA | $36,866 | $24,000 | 303,625 | 11 |
| 30 | Saint Paul, MN | $45,424 | $31,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 31 | Boston, MA | $48,126 | $30,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 32 | Indianapolis, IN | $36,674 | $25,000 | 855,164 | 9 |
| 33 | Colorado Springs, CO | $45,515 | $33,000 | 465,101 | 3 |
| 34 | North Las Vegas, NV | $35,688 | $24,000 | 238,702 | 1 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach, VA | $44,601 | $29,000 | 452,602 | 1 |
| 36 | Glendale, AZ | $44,182 | $31,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 37 | El Paso, TX | $43,187 | $30,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 38 | Fort Worth, TX | $41,538 | $29,000 | 854,113 | 1 |
| 39 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,868 | $24,000 | 242,203 | 11 |
| 40 | Scottsdale, AZ | $44,113 | $31,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $44,001 | $31,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 42 | San Antonio, TX | $42,038 | $29,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 43 | Norfolk, VA | $44,480 | $29,000 | 245,115 | 1 |
| 44 | Riverside, CA | $44,462 | $30,000 | 324,722 | 3 |
| 45 | Dallas, TX | $41,418 | $29,000 | 1,317,929 | 3 |
| 46 | Albuquerque, NM | $39,968 | $28,000 | 559,277 | 2 |
| 47 | Sacramento, CA | $49,326 | $33,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 48 | Jersey City, NJ | $46,922 | $29,000 | 264,152 | 2 |
| 49 | Lubbock, TX | $42,532 | $30,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 50 | Irving, TX | $41,430 | $29,000 | 238,289 | - |
Highest paying cities for auto mechanics
| Rank | City | Avg. auto mechanic salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $48,126 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $48,101 |
| 3 | Arlington, VA | $47,249 |
| 4 | Union, NJ | $46,862 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $45,922 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $45,436 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $45,321 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,159 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $42,247 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $41,767 |
| 11 | Riverhead, NY | $40,477 |
| 12 | Cleveland, TN | $39,596 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $38,762 |
| 14 | Noblesville, IN | $37,004 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $36,980 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $35,645 |
| 17 | Owasso, OK | $35,015 |
| 18 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,868 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $34,809 |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | $32,724 |
Auto mechanic best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025