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Job outlook for auto technicians in the United States
Auto technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected auto technician job growth rate is 1% from 2018-2028.
About 10,600 new jobs for auto technicians are projected over the next decade.
Auto technician salaries have increased 15% for auto technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 96,674 auto technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 131,515 active auto technician job openings in the US.
The average auto technician salary is $41,435.
Are auto technician jobs in demand?
Auto technician job and salary trends over time
Auto technician jobs over time
Auto technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96,674 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 95,189 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 100,596 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 99,478 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 98,196 | 0.03% |
Average auto technician salary over time
Auto technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,435 | $19.92 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $39,591 | $19.03 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $38,293 | $18.41 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $37,202 | $17.89 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $36,186 | $17.40 | +1.6% |
Auto technician jobs by state
Most common states for auto technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 908 | 29% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 318 | 24% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 317 | 24% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 418 | 22% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 208 | 22% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 134 | 21% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 213 | 20% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 146 | 20% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,931 | 19% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,246 | 19% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,042 | 19% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 804 | 19% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,269 | 18% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 190 | 18% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,961 | 17% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,757 | 17% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,551 | 17% |
| 18 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,168 | 17% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 944 | 17% |
| 20 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 838 | 17% |
Most common cities for auto technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Juliet | 4 | 12% | $36,596 |
| 2 | Plainfield | 4 | 9% | $40,175 |
| 3 | Fort Myers | 6 | 8% | $36,133 |
| 4 | La Mesa | 4 | 7% | $46,168 |
| 5 | San Rafael | 4 | 7% | $50,087 |
| 6 | Glendale | 6 | 3% | $47,249 |
| 7 | Roseville | 4 | 3% | $49,479 |
| 8 | Anaheim | 6 | 2% | $46,963 |
| 9 | Chula Vista | 6 | 2% | $46,145 |
| 10 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $44,998 |
| 11 | Miami | 4 | 1% | $36,205 |
| 12 | Milwaukee | 4 | 1% | $38,175 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $49,617 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 9 | 0% | $47,268 |
| 15 | Charlotte | 4 | 0% | $32,572 |
| 16 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $46,220 |
| 17 | San Jose | 4 | 0% | $49,820 |
Auto Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of auto technician experts
Skyline College
Julia Johnson
Professor, Automotive TechnologySkyline College
Vehicle Maintenance And Repair Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to an Auto Technician?
Julia Johnson: You will be starting out as a Lube Tech for your first job in the automotive industry. You will be expected to perform maintenance services accurately and within the industry standard timeframe. It may seem like it’s not challenging enough or too repetitive, but you will be expected to prove yourself at this level before you can advance.
What Auto Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Julia Johnson: The skill that will be the most important in the next 3-5 years is electrical diagnosis and repair. Almost every system on modern vehicles has an electrical component, so gaining a solid understanding of electrical fundamentals is essential.
What will help Auto Technicians increase their earning potential?
Julia Johnson: The fastest way to advance in your career is to begin earning your ASE Certifications. You should plan to earn your G-1 ASE certification within the first 6 months of your employment. There are 9 certificates in the A Series and if you earn them all, you will be an ASE certified Master Technician.