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Best states for an automotive mechanic
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
It seems like automotive mechanics are becoming more and more common across America. But working conditions and demand for automotive mechanics aren't the same everywhere in the U.S. This way, if you are newly entering the job market, or you are looking to change jobs, you know which places are the best for automotive mechanic jobs.
In order to get you the best states for automotive mechanics, we looked at our data on jobs and wages -- specifically the average annual wage and the number of available jobs per capita.We found that Kentucky is the best state for automotive mechanic jobs, whereas District of Columbia is the worst.
10 best states for automotive mechanics in 2025
1. Kentucky
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 666 Average annual salary: $48,940 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location Quotient: 1.49
2. Wyoming
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 92 Average annual salary: $50,216 Lowest 10 percent earn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location Quotient: 1.27
3. Colorado
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 730 Average annual salary: $59,170 Lowest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location Quotient: 1.01
4. Idaho
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 292 Average annual salary: $48,589 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Location Quotient: 1.47
5. Iowa
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 729 Average annual salary: $47,211 Lowest 10 percent earn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location Quotient: 1.66
6. Washington
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 941 Average annual salary: $50,916 Lowest 10 percent earn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Location Quotient: 1.06
7. Minnesota
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 737 Average annual salary: $51,818 Lowest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location Quotient: 0.92
8. Wisconsin
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 762 Average annual salary: $46,231 Lowest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location Quotient: 1.14
9. Maine
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 167 Average annual salary: $47,365 Lowest 10 percent earn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location Quotient: 1.04
10. North Dakota
Total automotive mechanic jobs: 130 Average annual salary: $44,941 Lowest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location Quotient: 1.16
Automotive mechanic jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be an automotive mechanic
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for an automotive mechanic
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $48,940 | $35,000 | 4,454,189 | 666 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $50,216 | $36,000 | 579,315 | 92 |
| 3 | Colorado | $59,170 | $43,000 | 5,607,154 | 730 |
| 4 | Idaho | $48,589 | $35,000 | 1,716,943 | 292 |
| 5 | Iowa | $47,211 | $34,000 | 3,145,711 | 729 |
| 6 | Washington | $50,916 | $36,000 | 7,405,743 | 941 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $51,818 | $37,000 | 5,576,606 | 737 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $46,231 | $33,000 | 5,795,483 | 762 |
| 9 | Maine | $47,365 | $32,000 | 1,335,907 | 167 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $44,941 | $33,000 | 755,393 | 130 |
| 11 | Alaska | $47,107 | $37,000 | 739,795 | 124 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $50,954 | $35,000 | 1,815,857 | 146 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $52,006 | $34,000 | 9,005,644 | 844 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $45,541 | $33,000 | 1,920,076 | 271 |
| 15 | Vermont | $46,854 | $32,000 | 623,657 | 94 |
| 16 | Michigan | $45,802 | $32,000 | 9,962,311 | 910 |
| 17 | California | $52,464 | $37,000 | 39,536,653 | 2,438 |
| 18 | Ohio | $43,702 | $30,000 | 11,658,609 | 1,234 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $41,706 | $30,000 | 6,715,984 | 794 |
| 20 | Maryland | $46,298 | $31,000 | 6,052,177 | 798 |
| 21 | Utah | $42,752 | $31,000 | 3,101,833 | 414 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $48,620 | $32,000 | 6,859,819 | 703 |
| 23 | Kansas | $44,086 | $32,000 | 2,913,123 | 322 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $40,845 | $30,000 | 3,004,279 | 345 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $45,055 | $30,000 | 1,342,795 | 186 |
| 26 | Montana | $39,902 | $29,000 | 1,050,493 | 213 |
| 27 | Virginia | $45,474 | $31,000 | 8,470,020 | 888 |
| 28 | Oregon | $41,718 | $29,000 | 4,142,776 | 530 |
| 29 | Illinois | $42,374 | $30,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,321 |
| 30 | Indiana | $37,603 | $26,000 | 6,666,818 | 1,052 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $37,483 | $27,000 | 2,984,100 | 342 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $42,203 | $30,000 | 2,088,070 | 201 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $39,896 | $29,000 | 3,930,864 | 359 |
| 34 | Missouri | $40,187 | $29,000 | 6,113,532 | 623 |
| 35 | New York | $40,818 | $27,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,432 |
| 36 | Arizona | $38,179 | $27,000 | 7,016,270 | 745 |
| 37 | Nevada | $37,232 | $26,000 | 2,998,039 | 267 |
| 38 | Alabama | $35,231 | $25,000 | 4,874,747 | 681 |
| 39 | Delaware | $38,615 | $25,000 | 961,939 | 156 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $39,980 | $26,000 | 1,059,639 | 118 |
| 41 | Texas | $38,642 | $28,000 | 28,304,596 | 2,386 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $37,274 | $25,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,384 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $38,631 | $28,000 | 869,666 | 107 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $38,681 | $25,000 | 3,588,184 | 397 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,145 | $24,000 | 4,684,333 | 669 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $37,453 | $26,000 | 10,273,419 | 1,137 |
| 47 | Florida | $33,420 | $24,000 | 20,984,400 | 2,421 |
| 48 | Georgia | $34,080 | $24,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,503 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $32,927 | $23,000 | 5,024,369 | 601 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $35,254 | $25,000 | 1,427,538 | 94 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $37,644 | $25,000 | 693,972 | 64 |
Highest paying states for automotive mechanics
| Rank | State | Avg. Automotive Mechanic Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $48,940 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $50,216 |
| 3 | Colorado | $59,170 |
| 4 | Idaho | $48,589 |
| 5 | Iowa | $47,211 |
| 6 | Washington | $50,916 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $51,818 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $46,231 |
| 9 | Maine | $47,365 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $44,941 |
| 11 | Alaska | $47,107 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $50,954 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $52,006 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $45,541 |
| 15 | Vermont | $46,854 |
| 16 | Michigan | $45,802 |
| 17 | California | $52,464 |
| 18 | Ohio | $43,702 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $41,706 |
| 20 | Maryland | $46,298 |
| 21 | Utah | $42,752 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $48,620 |
| 23 | Kansas | $44,086 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $40,845 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $45,055 |
| 26 | Montana | $39,902 |
| 27 | Virginia | $45,474 |
| 28 | Oregon | $41,718 |
| 29 | Illinois | $42,374 |
| 30 | Indiana | $37,603 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $37,483 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $42,203 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $39,896 |
| 34 | Missouri | $40,187 |
| 35 | New York | $40,818 |
| 36 | Arizona | $38,179 |
| 37 | Nevada | $37,232 |
| 38 | Alabama | $35,231 |
| 39 | Delaware | $38,615 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $39,980 |
| 41 | Texas | $38,642 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $37,274 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $38,631 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $38,681 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,145 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $37,453 |
| 47 | Florida | $33,420 |
| 48 | Georgia | $34,080 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $32,927 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $35,254 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $37,644 |
Automotive mechanic best states FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025