Best cities for an automotive mechanic
The best cities for automotive mechanics are Saint Paul, MN, Cincinnati, OH, and Colorado Springs, CO, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for automotive mechanics vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for automotive mechanics in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an automotive mechanic or considering a move, this list of the best cities for automotive mechanics to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for automotive mechanics. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an automotive mechanic. While the absolute best city for automotive mechanics is Saint Paul, MN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for automotive mechanics in 2024.
If you're looking for an automotive mechanic job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for automotive mechanics in 2025
1. Saint Paul, MN
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 30 Average annual salary: $51,874 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location quotient: 1.29 2. Cincinnati, OH
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $42,459 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 0.69 3. Colorado Springs, CO
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $58,444 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 0.38 4. Omaha, NE
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $45,701 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 0.47 5. Wichita, KS
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $43,449 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $59,000 Location quotient: 0.68 6. Anchorage, AK
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $47,340 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $59,000 Location quotient: 0.82 7. Lincoln, NE
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $45,277 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 0.45 8. Bakersfield, CA
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $52,804 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 0.91 9. Toledo, OH
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $44,238 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 0.37 10. Tulsa, OK
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $40,042 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 1.03
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Best cities for automotive mechanics
- Saint Paul, MN
- Cincinnati, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Omaha, NE
- Wichita, KS
- Anchorage, AK
- Lincoln, NE
- Bakersfield, CA
- Toledo, OH
- Tulsa, OK
- (30 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (18 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (10 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (12 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (7 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (5 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (6 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (5 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (2 automotive mechanic jobs)
- (12 automotive mechanic jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an automotive mechanic
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,874 | $37,000 | 302,398 | 30 |
| 2 | Cincinnati, OH | $42,459 | $29,000 | 298,800 | 18 |
| 3 | Colorado Springs, CO | $58,444 | $42,000 | 465,101 | 10 |
| 4 | Omaha, NE | $45,701 | $33,000 | 446,970 | 12 |
| 5 | Wichita, KS | $43,449 | $31,000 | 389,902 | 7 |
| 6 | Anchorage, AK | $47,340 | $37,000 | 298,192 | 5 |
| 7 | Lincoln, NE | $45,277 | $32,000 | 280,364 | 6 |
| 8 | Bakersfield, CA | $52,804 | $37,000 | 376,380 | 5 |
| 9 | Toledo, OH | $44,238 | $31,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 10 | Tulsa, OK | $40,042 | $29,000 | 403,090 | 12 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $45,751 | $31,000 | 672,795 | 9 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $59,263 | $43,000 | 693,060 | 31 |
| 13 | Memphis, TN | $41,420 | $30,000 | 652,717 | 10 |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $43,290 | $30,000 | 860,090 | 17 |
| 15 | Aurora, CO | $59,191 | $43,000 | 361,710 | 5 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $44,606 | $30,000 | 385,809 | 5 |
| 17 | Riverside, CA | $50,929 | $36,000 | 324,722 | 5 |
| 18 | Long Beach, CA | $51,256 | $36,000 | 470,130 | 4 |
| 19 | Santa Ana, CA | $51,072 | $36,000 | 334,217 | 4 |
| 20 | Lubbock, TX | $39,329 | $28,000 | 252,506 | 15 |
| 21 | Nashville, TN | $41,928 | $30,000 | 660,388 | 10 |
| 22 | Norfolk, VA | $45,138 | $30,000 | 245,115 | 6 |
| 23 | Oakland, CA | $55,491 | $38,000 | 420,005 | 4 |
| 24 | El Paso, TX | $39,403 | $28,000 | 683,080 | 7 |
| 25 | Virginia Beach, VA | $45,180 | $30,000 | 452,602 | 5 |
| 26 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,905 | $29,000 | 638,367 | 14 |
| 27 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,542 | $36,000 | 3,976,322 | 45 |
| 28 | Lexington, KY | $49,227 | $34,000 | 318,449 | 1 |
| 29 | Newark, NJ | $52,177 | $34,000 | 281,764 | 3 |
| 30 | Islip, NY | $41,032 | $27,000 | 335,543 | 1 |
| 31 | Chicago, IL | $42,535 | $30,000 | 2,704,958 | 44 |
| 32 | Louisville, KY | $49,087 | $34,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 33 | Albuquerque, NM | $42,400 | $30,000 | 559,277 | 4 |
| 34 | Arlington, TX | $38,706 | $28,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,884 | $37,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 36 | San Jose, CA | $55,242 | $38,000 | 1,025,350 | 17 |
| 37 | Baltimore, MD | $46,570 | $31,000 | 614,664 | 17 |
| 38 | Buffalo, NY | $39,909 | $27,000 | 256,902 | 18 |
| 39 | North Las Vegas, NV | $36,838 | $26,000 | 238,702 | 3 |
| 40 | Chesapeake, VA | $44,903 | $30,000 | 237,940 | 1 |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $46,063 | $32,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 42 | Mesa, AZ | $38,182 | $27,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 43 | Fremont, CA | $55,332 | $38,000 | 233,136 | 4 |
| 44 | Garland, TX | $38,628 | $28,000 | 234,943 | 1 |
| 45 | Seattle, WA | $51,186 | $36,000 | 704,352 | 6 |
| 46 | Milwaukee, WI | $46,157 | $32,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $38,661 | $28,000 | 1,317,929 | 26 |
| 48 | Fort Wayne, IN | $38,342 | $27,000 | 264,488 | 1 |
| 49 | Houston, TX | $38,402 | $27,000 | 2,303,482 | 44 |
| 50 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,384 | $29,000 | 311,404 | 10 |
Highest paying cities for automotive mechanics
| Rank | City | Avg. automotive mechanic salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeley, CO | $59,864 |
| 2 | Bakersfield, CA | $52,804 |
| 3 | Belleville, NJ | $52,197 |
| 4 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,874 |
| 5 | Lakewood, WA | $51,235 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $48,658 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $46,570 |
| 8 | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,715 |
| 9 | Omaha, NE | $45,701 |
| 10 | Rochester, NH | $44,710 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $43,290 |
| 12 | Melrose Park, IL | $42,564 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $42,400 |
| 14 | New York, NY | $40,823 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,384 |
| 16 | Tulsa, OK | $40,042 |
| 17 | El Paso, TX | $39,403 |
| 18 | Wilmington, DE | $38,807 |
| 19 | Raleigh, NC | $37,952 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,512 |
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Updated January 8, 2025