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The average salary for an automotive mechanic stands at $42,864 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of automotive repair services provided. For instance, mechanics in urban areas typically earn more due to a higher cost of living and greater demand for services.
Entry-level mechanics usually start with lower salaries, but as they gain experience and specialized skills, their earning potential increases significantly. Those with certifications or advanced training often command higher wages.
Salary estimates vary widely across the United States. States like California and New York tend to offer the highest salaries due to increased demand and higher living costs. Conversely, mechanics in states with lower living expenses may earn less but enjoy a lower cost of living.
Automotive mechanics can explore various niches, including diesel mechanics, auto body repair, and specialized diagnostics, which can lead to higher-paying positions. Continuous training and certification in advanced technologies can further enhance job prospects and salary potential.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level automotive mechanic | $25,100 | $12.07 |
| Mid-level automotive mechanic | $40,500 | $19.48 |
| Senior-level automotive mechanic | $56,000 | $26.94 |
The highest-paying states for automotive mechanics are Colorado, California, and New Jersey. The lowest average automotive mechanic salary states are Hawaii, Alabama, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $50,216 | $24.14 |
| 3 | Colorado | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 4 | Idaho | $48,589 | $23.36 |
| 5 | Iowa | $47,211 | $22.70 |
| 6 | Washington | $50,916 | $24.48 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $51,818 | $24.91 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $46,231 | $22.23 |
| 9 | Maine | $47,365 | $22.77 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $44,941 | $21.61 |
| 11 | Alaska | $47,107 | $22.65 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $50,954 | $24.50 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $52,006 | $25.00 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $45,541 | $21.89 |
| 15 | Vermont | $46,854 | $22.53 |
| 16 | Michigan | $45,802 | $22.02 |
| 17 | California | $52,464 | $25.22 |
| 18 | Ohio | $43,702 | $21.01 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $41,706 | $20.05 |
| 20 | Maryland | $46,298 | $22.26 |
| 21 | Utah | $42,752 | $20.55 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| 23 | Kansas | $44,086 | $21.20 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $40,845 | $19.64 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $45,055 | $21.66 |
| 26 | Montana | $39,902 | $19.18 |
| 27 | Virginia | $45,474 | $21.86 |
| 28 | Oregon | $41,718 | $20.06 |
| 29 | Illinois | $42,374 | $20.37 |
| 30 | Indiana | $37,603 | $18.08 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $37,483 | $18.02 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $42,203 | $20.29 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $39,896 | $19.18 |
| 34 | Missouri | $40,187 | $19.32 |
| 35 | New York | $40,818 | $19.62 |
| 36 | Arizona | $38,179 | $18.36 |
| 37 | Nevada | $37,232 | $17.90 |
| 38 | Alabama | $35,231 | $16.94 |
| 39 | Delaware | $38,615 | $18.56 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| 41 | Texas | $38,642 | $18.58 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $37,274 | $17.92 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $38,631 | $18.57 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $38,681 | $18.60 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,145 | $15.94 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $37,453 | $18.01 |
| 47 | Florida | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 48 | Georgia | $34,080 | $16.38 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $32,927 | $15.83 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $35,254 | $16.95 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $37,644 | $18.10 |
The highest-paying cities for automotive mechanics are Greeley, CO, Bakersfield, CA, and Belleville, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeley, CO | $59,864 | $28.78 |
| 2 | Bakersfield, CA | $52,804 | $25.39 |
| 3 | Belleville, NJ | $52,197 | $25.09 |
| 4 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,874 | $24.94 |
| 5 | Lakewood, WA | $51,235 | $24.63 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $48,658 | $23.39 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| 8 | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,715 | $21.98 |
| 9 | Omaha, NE | $45,701 | $21.97 |
| 10 | Rochester, NH | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| 12 | Melrose Park, IL | $42,564 | $20.46 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $42,400 | $20.38 |
| 14 | New York, NY | $40,823 | $19.63 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,384 | $19.42 |
| 16 | Tulsa, OK | $40,042 | $19.25 |
| 17 | El Paso, TX | $39,403 | $18.94 |
| 18 | Wilmington, DE | $38,807 | $18.66 |
| 19 | Raleigh, NC | $37,952 | $18.25 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,512 | $18.03 |
An automotive mechanic's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $42,864 | $3,572 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of automotive mechanics are mobile equipment mechanic, industrial mechanic, and truck mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanic Helper | $31,892 | $2,658 | $15.33 | 48,546 |
| Shop Technician | $36,798 | $3,066 | $17.69 | 150,349 |
| Mobile Equipment Mechanic | $72,190 | $6,016 | $34.71 | 105,687 |
| Diesel Technician | $46,868 | $3,906 | $22.53 | 128,944 |
| Tire Technician | $38,376 | $3,198 | $18.45 | 110,586 |
| Lube Technician | $29,959 | $2,497 | $14.40 | 131,008 |
Top companies hiring automotive mechanics now:
Automotive mechanic salaries at Eversource Energy and City of Baltimore are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average automotive mechanic salary at companies like Marin Water and Blue Bird are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eversource Energy | $65,164 | $31.33 |
| 2 | City of Baltimore | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| 3 | Marin Water | $60,849 | $29.25 |
| 4 | Blue Bird | $58,136 | $27.95 |
| 5 | Fred Beans Ford | $56,350 | $27.09 |
| 6 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $56,118 | $26.98 |
| 7 | Kemp Technologies | $56,090 | $26.97 |
| 8 | Arlington County, VA | $55,548 | $26.71 |
| 9 | City of Louisville | $55,377 | $26.62 |
| 10 | Patterson Auto | $55,368 | $26.62 |
| 11 | Autocar Truck | $55,140 | $26.51 |
| 12 | Belle Tire | $54,673 | $26.29 |
| 13 | Subaru | $53,885 | $25.91 |
| 14 | A. O. Smith | $53,457 | $25.70 |
| 15 | Denton County | $52,815 | $25.39 |
| 16 | Rich Ford | $51,533 | $24.78 |
| 17 | FIRST | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| 18 | Monster Products | $49,467 | $23.78 |
| 19 | Asbury Automotive Group | $49,245 | $23.68 |
| 20 | ALS, LLC | $49,138 | $23.62 |
The average automotive mechanic salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $51,398 | $24.71 |
| 2 | Insurance | $42,242 | $20.31 |
| 3 | Automotive | $42,161 | $20.27 |
| 4 | Government | $40,978 | $19.70 |
The average automotive mechanic salary has risen by $7,658 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average automotive mechanic earned $35,206 annually, but today, they earn $42,864 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for automotive mechanics over the last decade.
Compare automotive mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare automotive mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,900 | $20.61 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $41,000 | $19.69 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $39,600 | $19.05 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $38,500 | $18.50 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $37,400 | $18.00 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Auto Tire and Service | Automotive Mechanic | San Antonio, TX | 06/29/2025 | $56,349 |
| Meineke Car Care Centers | Lead Automotive Mechanic Wanted | Andover, MN | 06/28/2025 | $65,000 |
| Car Guys | Automotive Mechanic | Dalton, GA | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Automotive Mechanic-ST. Louis | Hazelwood, MO | 06/27/2025 | $58,436 |
| Meineke Car Care Centers | Automotive Technician/Mechanic Advanced Lube Tech or B Tech | West Allis, WI | 06/27/2025 | $45,914 |
| State of Pennsylvania | Automotive Mechanic | Allentown, PA | 06/27/2025 | $48,841 |
| Fleet Service Auto & Truck Repair | Automotive Mechanic | Everett, WA | 06/27/2025 | $52,175 |
| Monro Muffler Brake & Service | Automotive Mechanic/Technician | Trenton, NJ | 06/26/2025 | $52,175 |
| Cox Enterprises | Automotive Mechanic Technician II New Tool Bonus | Fairfield, NJ | 06/26/2025 | $53,886 |
| Transdev Services, Inc. | Automotive Mechanic | Sandusky, OH | 06/26/2025 | $54,262 |
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