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Auto mechanic salary
Average auto mechanic salary
$41,683
Understanding Auto Mechanic Salaries
The average annual salary for an auto mechanic in the United States is approximately $41,683. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and specific areas of expertise within the automotive field. For example, mechanics working in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand and cost of living.
Experience levels also play a crucial role in salary determination. Entry-level mechanics may start around $30,000 annually, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $60,000, particularly those specializing in high-performance vehicles or working in luxury automotive service centers.
States with the Highest Salaries
States such as California, Texas, and New York typically offer the highest salaries for auto mechanics. In California, the average salary can exceed $50,000, influenced by the state’s robust automotive industry and demand for skilled technicians.
In addition to state averages, some employers provide benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses, further enhancing the overall compensation package. For those considering a career as an auto mechanic, understanding these salary trends is essential for making informed career decisions.
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Where can an Auto Mechanic earn more?
Auto mechanic salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level auto mechanic | $24,400 | $11.74 |
| Mid-level auto mechanic | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| Senior-level auto mechanic | $54,500 | $26.20 |
Auto mechanic salary estimates from across the web
Average auto mechanic salary by state
The highest-paying states for auto mechanics are Washington, Massachusetts, and Maryland. The lowest average auto mechanic salary states are New Hampshire, Hawaii, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for auto mechanics
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | $46,057 | $22.14 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $46,004 | $22.12 |
| 3 | Iowa | $43,925 | $21.12 |
| 4 | Washington | $49,613 | $23.85 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 6 | Alaska | $45,409 | $21.83 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $42,085 | $20.23 |
| 8 | Missouri | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $43,067 | $20.71 |
| 10 | Arizona | $44,059 | $21.18 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| 12 | Colorado | $45,869 | $22.05 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $45,386 | $21.82 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $46,807 | $22.50 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $48,203 | $23.17 |
| 16 | Maryland | $47,808 | $22.98 |
| 17 | Vermont | $42,356 | $20.36 |
| 18 | Maine | $42,631 | $20.50 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $39,849 | $19.16 |
| 20 | Texas | $41,805 | $20.10 |
| 21 | Michigan | $42,187 | $20.28 |
| 22 | Oregon | $40,127 | $19.29 |
| 23 | Virginia | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| 24 | California | $46,216 | $22.22 |
| 25 | Utah | $39,942 | $19.20 |
| 26 | Montana | $37,368 | $17.97 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $37,633 | $18.09 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $38,376 | $18.45 |
| 29 | Indiana | $36,964 | $17.77 |
| 30 | Kansas | $40,487 | $19.46 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $39,725 | $19.10 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $34,931 | $16.79 |
| 33 | New York | $40,284 | $19.37 |
| 34 | Nevada | $36,078 | $17.35 |
| 35 | Ohio | $34,815 | $16.74 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 37 | Georgia | $34,718 | $16.69 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $37,117 | $17.84 |
| 39 | Alabama | $32,733 | $15.74 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $34,914 | $16.79 |
| 41 | Delaware | $36,608 | $17.60 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 43 | Florida | $32,494 | $15.62 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $36,212 | $17.41 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $31,095 | $14.95 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $34,714 | $16.69 |
| 47 | Illinois | $36,761 | $17.67 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $30,461 | $14.64 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | $34,636 | $16.65 |
| 50 | District of Columbia | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $32,902 | $15.82 |
Highest paying cities for auto mechanics
The highest-paying cities for auto mechanics are Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, and Arlington, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $48,126 | $23.14 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $48,101 | $23.13 |
| 3 | Arlington, VA | $47,249 | $22.72 |
| 4 | Union, NJ | $46,862 | $22.53 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $45,922 | $22.08 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $45,436 | $21.84 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $45,321 | $21.79 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,159 | $21.23 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $42,247 | $20.31 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $41,767 | $20.08 |
| 11 | Riverhead, NY | $40,477 | $19.46 |
| 12 | Cleveland, TN | $39,596 | $19.04 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $38,762 | $18.64 |
| 14 | Noblesville, IN | $37,004 | $17.79 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $35,645 | $17.14 |
| 17 | Owasso, OK | $35,015 | $16.83 |
| 18 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,868 | $16.76 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $34,809 | $16.74 |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | $32,724 | $15.73 |
Auto mechanic salary details
An auto mechanic's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an auto mechanic's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $41,683 | $3,474 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying auto mechanic jobs
The highest paying types of auto mechanics are lead mechanic, truck mechanic, and fleet mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Technician | $46,868 | $3,906 | $22.53 | 128,944 |
| Tire Technician | $38,376 | $3,198 | $18.45 | 110,586 |
| Automotive Service Technician | $43,077 | $3,590 | $20.71 | 177,784 |
| Mechanic Helper | $31,892 | $2,658 | $15.33 | 48,546 |
| Lube Technician | $29,959 | $2,497 | $14.40 | 131,008 |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $49,018 | $4,085 | $23.57 | 98,464 |
Top companies hiring auto mechanics now:
Which companies pay auto mechanics the most?
Auto mechanic salaries at City of Detroit and National Grid plc are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average auto mechanic salary at companies like Eversource Energy and Con Edison are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Detroit | $78,062 | $37.53 |
| 2 | National Grid plc | $68,569 | $32.97 |
| 3 | Eversource Energy | $67,862 | $32.63 |
| 4 | Con Edison | $57,908 | $27.84 |
| 5 | DLR Group | $56,468 | $27.15 |
| 6 | Arlington County, VA | $53,886 | $25.91 |
| 7 | Northrop Grumman | $53,851 | $25.89 |
| 8 | Rapid International | $51,508 | $24.76 |
| 9 | Hummingbird Trading | $50,719 | $24.38 |
| 10 | State of Connecticut | $50,617 | $24.34 |
| 11 | UPS | $45,937 | $22.09 |
| 12 | Turner Industries | $45,821 | $22.03 |
| 13 | Honda of Seattle | $45,753 | $22.00 |
| 14 | Crescent Service | $45,251 | $21.76 |
| 15 | Group One | $45,112 | $21.69 |
| 16 | CarMax | $44,416 | $21.35 |
| 17 | Towne Auto Group | $44,393 | $21.34 |
| 18 | CESAR | $43,979 | $21.14 |
| 19 | University of Houston | $43,839 | $21.08 |
| 20 | Friendly Ford | $43,049 | $20.70 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Auto Mechanic salary by industry
The average auto mechanic salary varies across industries:
- The average auto mechanic salary in the government industry is $43,229, the highest of any industry.
- The average auto mechanic salary in the finance industry is $40,915.
- Auto mechanics in the automotive industry earn an average salary of $38,451, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for auto mechanics
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $43,229 | $20.78 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $40,915 | $19.67 |
| 3 | Retail | $39,418 | $18.95 |
| 4 | Finance | $38,919 | $18.71 |
| 5 | Automotive | $38,451 | $18.49 |
High paying auto mechanic jobs
Auto mechanic salary trends
The average auto mechanic salary has risen by $7,447 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average auto mechanic earned $34,236 annually, but today, they earn $41,683 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for auto mechanics over the last decade.
Compare auto mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average auto mechanic salary over time
Compare auto mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Auto mechanic salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,700 | $20.04 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $39,800 | $19.15 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $38,500 | $18.52 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $37,400 | $17.99 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $36,400 | $17.50 | +1.6% |
Recently added auto mechanic salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber Collision | Auto Mechanic | Las Vegas, NV | 06/30/2025 | $54,262 |
| Gobeacon | Diesel Auto Mechanic | Punxsutawney, PA | 06/30/2025 | $38,000 |
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Auto Mechanic | Harvey, IL | 06/29/2025 | $70,958 |
| Meineke Car Care Centers | Immediately, Auto Mechanic/Auto Technician-Emmaus PA | Coopersburg, PA | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Carvana | Mid-Level Auto Mechanic | Rocklin, CA | 06/26/2025 | $52,175 |
| United Parcel Service | Auto Mechanic | Falmouth, MA | 06/26/2025 | $81,080 |
| Barrett Business Services | Auto Mechanic | Ceres, CA | 06/25/2025 | $38,610 |
| ASR Group | No 2 Auto Machine Mechanic | Arabi, LA | 06/24/2025 | $59,897 |
| Sunset Auto Group | Auto Mechanic/Technician-Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton | Bradenton, FL | 06/24/2025 | $52,175 |
| Carvana | Auto Mechanic II-Adesa Long Island | Yaphank, NY | 06/21/2025 | $48,001 |
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