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Job outlook for mechanics in the United States
Mechanic job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected mechanic job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 12,600 new jobs for mechanics are projected over the next decade.
Mechanic salaries have increased 11% for mechanics in the last 5 years.
There are over 415,823 mechanics currently employed in the United States.
There are 100,534 active mechanic job openings in the US.
The average mechanic salary is $47,149.
Are mechanic jobs in demand?
Mechanic job and salary trends over time
Mechanic jobs over time
Mechanic job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 415,823 | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 405,697 | 0.12% |
| 2019 | 423,670 | 0.13% |
| 2018 | 416,653 | 0.13% |
| 2017 | 407,334 | 0.12% |
Average mechanic salary over time
Mechanic salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,149 | $22.67 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $45,553 | $21.90 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $44,472 | $21.38 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $43,543 | $20.93 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $42,425 | $20.40 | +1.5% |
Mechanic jobs by state
Most common states for mechanics
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 739 | 23% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 146 | 19% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 194 | 18% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 162 | 17% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 127 | 17% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 303 | 16% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 101 | 16% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 90 | 16% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 950 | 14% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 799 | 14% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 120 | 14% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,330 | 13% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 790 | 13% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 644 | 13% |
| 15 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 585 | 13% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 417 | 13% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 379 | 13% |
| 18 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 377 | 13% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 90 | 13% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,521 | 12% |
Most common cities for mechanics
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah | 13 | 9% | $40,601 |
| 2 | Orlando | 13 | 5% | $41,061 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 17 | 4% | $41,042 |
| 4 | Indianapolis | 17 | 2% | $44,026 |
| 5 | Baltimore | 15 | 2% | $51,081 |
| 6 | Denver | 12 | 2% | $50,036 |
| 7 | Sacramento | 9 | 2% | $60,191 |
| 8 | Mesa | 8 | 2% | $44,242 |
| 9 | Miami | 8 | 2% | $41,257 |
| 10 | Tucson | 8 | 2% | $43,505 |
| 11 | Wichita | 8 | 2% | $43,155 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 20 | 1% | $44,421 |
| 13 | Chicago | 18 | 1% | $50,660 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 12 | 1% | $41,004 |
| 15 | San Diego | 9 | 1% | $55,542 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 11 | 0% | $57,462 |
Mechanic job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mechanic experts
Skyline College
Julia Johnson
Professor, Automotive TechnologySkyline College
Vehicle Maintenance And Repair Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to a Mechanic?
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 Mechanic 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.