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The average salary for an Auto Garage Mechanic in the United States is approximately $42,369 per year. This figure reflects the earnings based on various factors, including experience, geographic location, and the specific automotive field. Entry-level mechanics may start at a lower salary, while those with more experience can earn significantly higher.
Typically, mechanics with less than one year of experience earn around $30,000, while those with five to ten years can see their salary rise to about $45,000. Experienced professionals, especially those in supervisory roles or specialized areas, may earn upwards of $60,000.
Location plays a crucial role in salary differences. Mechanics in states like California and New York often report higher earnings due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. In contrast, regions with lower living costs may offer salaries below the national average.
As the automotive industry evolves, opportunities for auto garage mechanics continue to grow. Technological advancements in vehicles create a demand for skilled technicians who can manage complex systems. For those looking to enter the field, pursuing relevant certifications can enhance job prospects and potential salaries.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level auto garage mechanic | $24,800 | $11.94 |
| Mid-level auto garage mechanic | $40,000 | $19.25 |
| Senior-level auto garage mechanic | $55,400 | $26.63 |
The highest-paying states for auto garage mechanics are California, Texas, and Arizona. The lowest average auto garage mechanic salary states are North Carolina, Missouri, and Minnesota.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $32,779 | $15.76 |
| 2 | Iowa | $28,748 | $13.82 |
| 3 | Arizona | $33,436 | $16.07 |
| 4 | Texas | $36,159 | $17.38 |
| 5 | Indiana | $27,658 | $13.30 |
| 6 | California | $39,788 | $19.13 |
| 7 | Georgia | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| 8 | Florida | $29,825 | $14.34 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | $27,414 | $13.18 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $25,712 | $12.36 |
| 11 | Alaska | $28,472 | $13.69 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $25,549 | $12.28 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $25,167 | $12.10 |
| 14 | Alabama | $25,715 | $12.36 |
| 15 | Ohio | $25,265 | $12.15 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $24,108 | $11.59 |
| 17 | Idaho | $24,989 | $12.01 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $24,849 | $11.95 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $31,328 | $15.06 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $28,119 | $13.52 |
| 21 | Colorado | $26,872 | $12.92 |
| 22 | Delaware | $25,618 | $12.32 |
| 23 | Maine | $26,494 | $12.74 |
| 24 | Kansas | $24,554 | $11.80 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $23,109 | $11.11 |
| 26 | Maryland | $26,696 | $12.83 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $22,772 | $10.95 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $23,366 | $11.23 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $24,078 | $11.58 |
| 30 | Montana | $23,095 | $11.10 |
| 31 | Oregon | $25,480 | $12.25 |
| 32 | Virginia | $26,122 | $12.56 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $23,175 | $11.14 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $26,975 | $12.97 |
| 35 | New Jersey | $27,477 | $13.21 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $25,596 | $12.31 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $24,081 | $11.58 |
| 38 | Vermont | $24,094 | $11.58 |
| 39 | Michigan | $23,808 | $11.45 |
| 40 | Utah | $22,965 | $11.04 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $22,032 | $10.59 |
| 42 | Washington | $25,108 | $12.07 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $22,408 | $10.77 |
| 44 | Illinois | $24,363 | $11.71 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $19,778 | $9.51 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $22,058 | $10.60 |
| 48 | Missouri | $22,237 | $10.69 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | $23,916 | $11.50 |
| 50 | New York | $22,947 | $11.03 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $20,943 | $10.07 |
The highest-paying cities for auto garage mechanics are San Antonio, TX, San Leandro, CA, and Waterloo, IA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio, TX | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 2 | San Leandro, CA | $37,705 | $18.13 |
| 3 | Waterloo, IA | $28,695 | $13.80 |
| 4 | Manchester, NH | $27,530 | $13.24 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | $27,465 | $13.20 |
| 6 | Gary, IN | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| 7 | Youngstown, OH | $25,530 | $12.27 |
| 8 | Bellevue, NE | $24,885 | $11.96 |
| 9 | Green Bay, WI | $24,036 | $11.56 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $23,520 | $11.31 |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $22,530 | $10.83 |
| 12 | Saint Paul, MN | $22,008 | $10.58 |
An auto garage mechanic's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $72,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $42,369 | $3,531 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of auto garage mechanics are master technician, certified technician, and mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Technician Apprentice | $39,849 | $3,321 | $19.16 | 130,235 |
| Technician | $38,045 | $3,170 | $18.29 | 596,842 |
| Certified Technician | $52,208 | $4,351 | $25.10 | 140,083 |
| Master Technician | $97,027 | $8,086 | $46.65 | 137,644 |
| Alignment Technician | $38,020 | $3,168 | $18.28 | 143,585 |
| Mechanic Helper | $31,892 | $2,658 | $15.33 | 48,546 |
Top companies hiring auto garage mechanics now:
Auto garage mechanic salaries at WEC Energy Group and Xcel Energy are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average auto garage mechanic salary at companies like MidAmerican Energy and American Water are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEC Energy Group | $80,826 | $38.86 |
| 2 | Xcel Energy | $67,359 | $32.38 |
| 3 | MidAmerican Energy | $63,606 | $30.58 |
| 4 | American Water | $59,205 | $28.46 |
| 5 | FirstEnergy | $49,743 | $23.91 |
| 6 | Boston College | $48,611 | $23.37 |
| 7 | Cleveland Metropolitan School District | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| 8 | ECMD | $42,356 | $20.36 |
| 9 | Kroger | $41,963 | $20.17 |
| 10 | ABM Industries | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| 11 | LAZ Parking | $39,831 | $19.15 |
| 12 | Pike | $39,746 | $19.11 |
| 13 | NC.gov | $37,191 | $17.88 |
| 14 | Mountaire Farms | $35,821 | $17.22 |
| 15 | Ben E. Keith | $33,773 | $16.24 |
| 16 | Pilgrim's | $26,142 | $12.57 |
| 17 | Schwebel's Bread | $25,118 | $12.08 |
| 18 | Bimbo Bakeries | $24,348 | $11.71 |
The average auto garage mechanic salary has risen by $7,570 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average auto garage mechanic earned $34,799 annually, but today, they earn $42,369 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for auto garage mechanics over the last decade.
Compare auto garage mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare auto garage mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,400 | $20.37 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $40,500 | $19.46 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $39,200 | $18.83 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $38,000 | $18.29 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $37,000 | $17.79 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Department of Education | Garage Mechanic-(2 Positions) | Cleveland, OH | 05/23/2025 | $51,925 |
| Eversource Energy | Garage Mechanic | Norwalk, CT | 05/15/2025 | $103,745 |
| Eversource Energy | Garage Mechanic | Berlin, CT | 04/28/2025 | $103,745 |
| Ohio Department of Education | Garage Mechanic-(2 Positions) | Cleveland, OH | 04/28/2025 | $51,925 |
| Dasstateoh | Odot Mechanic Trainee; Delaware County District Garage, PN 20058628 | Delaware, OH | 04/28/2025 | $41,636 |
| Bimbo Canada | Garage Mechanic | San Leandro, CA | 04/04/2025 | $82,332 |
| Bimbo Canada | Garage Mechanic | Fresno, CA | 03/15/2025 | $65,741 |
| Eversource Energy | Garage Mechanic | Berlin, CT | 03/13/2025 | $102,263 |
| Ohio Department of Education | Garage Mechanic | Cleveland, OH | 03/13/2025 | $51,925 |
| State of Ohio | Odot Mechanic-PN 20054851 (External Interim)-Belmont County Garage | Belmont, OH | 02/28/2025 | $49,650 |
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