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Job outlook for automobile technicians in the United States
Automobile technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected automobile technician job growth rate is 1% from 2018-2028.
About 10,600 new jobs for automobile technicians are projected over the next decade.
Automobile technician salaries have increased 15% for automobile technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 61,225 automobile technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 75,140 active automobile technician job openings in the US.
The average automobile technician salary is $39,815.
Are automobile technician jobs in demand?
Automobile technician job and salary trends over time
Automobile technician jobs over time
Automobile technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61,225 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 60,285 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 63,709 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 63,001 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 62,189 | 0.02% |
Average automobile technician salary over time
Automobile technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $39,815 | $19.14 | +4.7% |
| 2025 | $38,044 | $18.29 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $36,797 | $17.69 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $35,748 | $17.19 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $34,772 | $16.72 | +1.6% |
Automobile technician jobs by state
Most common states for automobile technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 217 | 16% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 201 | 15% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 91 | 15% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 698 | 13% |
| 5 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,203 | 12% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 837 | 12% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 120 | 12% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 91 | 12% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,079 | 11% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 968 | 11% |
| 11 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 712 | 11% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 706 | 11% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 639 | 11% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 616 | 11% |
| 15 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 499 | 11% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 410 | 11% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 360 | 11% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 121 | 11% |
| 19 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,161 | 10% |
| 20 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 534 | 10% |
Automobile Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of automobile technician experts
Skyline College
Julia Johnson
Professor, Automotive TechnologySkyline College
Vehicle Maintenance And Repair Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to an Automobile 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 Automobile 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 Automobile 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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Automobile Technician job market given the pandemic?
Trish Serratore: The biggest trends facing the automotive service repair market are the need to help car owners understand that they still need to service their vehicles, even if they are not driving them as much due to remote working situations.
Smaller shops will have difficulties staying in business due to shutdowns and prior technician furloughs. Finding good technicians in this pandemic is just as complicated as before. Keeping technicians trained and updated will also be a factor in the repair business as shops get used to virtual and distance learning.
New graduates entering the field will need to showcase their credentials (ASE Certifications) and be able to quantify their experience. We are still hearing about a technician shortage, but many shops are still wary of an inexperienced individual.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Automobile Technicians in the next 5 years?
Trish Serratore: Hard to say. There is no shortage of folks who would like to work as technicians. As technology increases, the competencies required will change the job descriptions. We will always need technicians for oil changes, brake repairs, HVAC, and the like. However, we will also need, but not as many, technicians with highly developed computer and electronic skills.