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The role of an Automotive Technology Instructor is crucial in preparing the next generation of automotive professionals. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for this position is approximately $51,809, or around $25 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on various factors, including geographic location, educational institution, and years of experience in the field.
In states like California and Texas, instructors may command higher salaries due to the demand for skilled automotive educators. For example, the highest paying states for automotive technology instructors reflect a competitive job market where educators can leverage their expertise to earn more.
Additionally, instructors with advanced degrees or specializations in automotive technology may find themselves in higher-paying positions. Institutions that focus on practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge often offer better compensation packages, emphasizing the importance of experience and continued education in this field.
As you consider a career as an Automotive Technology Instructor, it's essential to explore various educational institutions and their salary structures to find the best opportunities available.
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The highest-paying states for automotive technology instructors are California, Alaska, and North Dakota. The lowest average automotive technology instructor salary states are Hawaii, Missouri, and New Jersey.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $70,924 | $34.10 |
| 2 | Alaska | $64,286 | $30.91 |
| 3 | Utah | $58,513 | $28.13 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $59,627 | $28.67 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $56,370 | $27.10 |
| 6 | Delaware | $55,027 | $26.46 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $57,133 | $27.47 |
| 8 | Nevada | $54,021 | $25.97 |
| 9 | New York | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $55,322 | $26.60 |
| 11 | Mississippi | $56,156 | $27.00 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $56,409 | $27.12 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $54,984 | $26.43 |
| 14 | Oregon | $55,319 | $26.60 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $52,113 | $25.05 |
| 16 | Vermont | $54,222 | $26.07 |
| 17 | Michigan | $53,198 | $25.58 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $55,962 | $26.90 |
| 19 | Ohio | $52,466 | $25.22 |
| 20 | Maryland | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| 21 | Arizona | $52,198 | $25.10 |
| 22 | Texas | $52,186 | $25.09 |
| 23 | Virginia | $52,591 | $25.28 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $50,235 | $24.15 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $52,168 | $25.08 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $46,532 | $22.37 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $49,794 | $23.94 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $48,278 | $23.21 |
| 29 | Maine | $52,979 | $25.47 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $50,124 | $24.10 |
| 31 | Indiana | $51,145 | $24.59 |
| 32 | Georgia | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $48,469 | $23.30 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $51,843 | $24.92 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $51,228 | $24.63 |
| 36 | Washington | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $53,905 | $25.92 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $48,897 | $23.51 |
| 39 | Idaho | $50,627 | $24.34 |
| 40 | Montana | $48,969 | $23.54 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $48,699 | $23.41 |
| 42 | Colorado | $46,929 | $22.56 |
| 43 | Florida | $46,886 | $22.54 |
| 44 | Alabama | $47,978 | $23.07 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $48,417 | $23.28 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $48,666 | $23.40 |
| 47 | New Jersey | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 48 | Illinois | $33,761 | $16.23 |
| 49 | Iowa | $33,072 | $15.90 |
| 50 | Missouri | $40,827 | $19.63 |
| 51 | Kansas | $31,862 | $15.32 |
The highest-paying cities for automotive technology instructors are Glendale, CA, Spanish Fork, UT, and Buffalo, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glendale, CA | $70,218 | $33.76 |
| 2 | Spanish Fork, UT | $58,531 | $28.14 |
| 3 | Buffalo, NY | $57,401 | $27.60 |
| 4 | Chicopee, MA | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| 5 | Albany, OR | $55,662 | $26.76 |
| 6 | Troy, MI | $53,424 | $25.68 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $52,367 | $25.18 |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $52,273 | $25.13 |
| 9 | Eau Claire, WI | $52,173 | $25.08 |
| 10 | Renton, WA | $51,762 | $24.89 |
| 11 | Terre Haute, IN | $50,487 | $24.27 |
| 12 | Hickory, NC | $49,486 | $23.79 |
| 13 | Spring Hill, TN | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| 14 | Monroe, LA | $48,744 | $23.43 |
| 15 | Broken Arrow, OK | $48,562 | $23.35 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| 17 | Miramar, FL | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| 18 | Kansas City, MO | $40,663 | $19.55 |
| 19 | Mahwah, NJ | $36,670 | $17.63 |
An automotive technology instructor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| Average | $51,809 | $4,317 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
The highest paying types of automotive technology instructors are precision machining instructor, auto mechanics instructor, and auto collision repair instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
Top companies hiring automotive technology instructors now:
Automotive technology instructor salaries at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Lucid Motors are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average automotive technology instructor salary at companies like Renton Technical College and Porter and Chester Institute are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama | $93,802 | $45.10 |
| 2 | Lucid Motors | $84,134 | $40.45 |
| 3 | Renton Technical College | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| 4 | Porter and Chester Institute | $57,096 | $27.45 |
| 5 | San Diego College of Continuing Education | $53,718 | $25.83 |
| 6 | Tulsa Tech | $53,625 | $25.78 |
| 7 | Raytheon Technologies | $49,839 | $23.96 |
| 8 | Louisiana Delta Community College | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| 9 | SUNY Erie | $46,648 | $22.43 |
| 10 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $46,331 | $22.27 |
| 11 | Universal Technical Institute | $46,031 | $22.13 |
| 12 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $43,788 | $21.05 |
| 13 | Aims Community College | $43,332 | $20.83 |
| 14 | Chippewa Valley Schools | $43,167 | $20.75 |
| 15 | Los Angeles Trade-Technical College | $43,099 | $20.72 |
| 16 | Lincoln Tech | $42,548 | $20.46 |
| 17 | Eastern Suffolk BOCES | $40,023 | $19.24 |
| 18 | Kelly Services | $39,588 | $19.03 |
| 19 | Rancho Alamitos High School | $39,333 | $18.91 |
| 20 | Wayne RESA | $31,691 | $15.24 |
The average automotive technology instructor salary has risen by $6,470 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average automotive technology instructor earned $45,339 annually, but today, they earn $51,809 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for automotive technology instructors over the last decade.
Compare automotive technology instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare automotive technology instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,800 | $24.91 | +1.2% |
| 2025 | $51,200 | $24.61 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $50,000 | $24.03 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $48,700 | $23.39 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $47,500 | $22.86 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Tech | Automotive Technician Instructor | East Windsor, CT | 06/27/2025 | $56,349 |
| Erie Community College | Instructor Automotive Technology | Vermont | 06/20/2025 | $43,297 |
| Erie Community College | Instructor Automotive Technology | Buffalo, NY | 06/20/2025 | $43,297 |
| Los Angeles Community College District | Adjunct-Fy25 Automotive Technology Instructor | Los Angeles, CA | 06/16/2025 | $41,552 |
| Texas State Technical College | Automotive Technician, Instructor | Harlingen, TX | 06/13/2025 | $59,586 |
| Iec Corp Group | Automotive Technician Instructor | Tacoma, WA | 05/24/2025 | $41,740 |
| North Orange County Community College District | Automotive Technology Instructor | Anaheim, CA | 05/24/2025 | $85,541 |
| Iec Corp Group | Automotive Technician Instructor | Mesa, AZ | 05/17/2025 | $58,436 |
| Iec Corp Group | Automotive Technician Instructor | Las Vegas, NV | 05/17/2025 | $58,436 |
| Minnesota Limited | Automotive Technology Instructor | Saint Paul, MN | 05/15/2025 | $44,144 |
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