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Car runner salary
Average car runner salary
$15.55
Understanding Car Runner Salaries
A car runner plays a vital role in automotive dealerships and service centers, ensuring vehicles are moved efficiently. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $32,337 annually, or approximately $16 per hour. Factors influencing this salary include geographical location, years of experience, and the specific employer.
In states like California and New York, car runners typically earn more due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments. For example, major cities such as Los Angeles and New York often present higher salary offerings. According to data, entry-level positions may start around $28,000, while seasoned professionals can see earnings exceeding $40,000 annually.
Experience levels also significantly impact earnings. Entry-level car runners may earn less, while those with several years in the field can command higher wages. Additionally, many employers offer benefits that can enhance overall compensation, including health insurance and retirement plans.
If you’re seeking a position as a car runner, researching job listings in your area can provide insights into competitive salaries and benefits. This information is crucial for making informed career decisions and negotiating your salary effectively.
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Where can a Car Runner earn more?
Car runner salaries by experience level
Average car runner salary by state
The average car runner salary in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average car runner salary states are North Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for car runners
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $34,043 | $16.37 |
| 2 | Oregon | $38,611 | $18.56 |
| 3 | Maine | $33,671 | $16.19 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $36,398 | $17.50 |
| 5 | Washington | $42,059 | $20.22 |
| 6 | New York | $36,546 | $17.57 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 8 | Vermont | $33,358 | $16.04 |
| 9 | Alaska | $38,308 | $18.42 |
| 10 | Delaware | $32,997 | $15.86 |
| 11 | Arizona | $30,983 | $14.90 |
| 12 | California | $33,610 | $16.16 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $32,752 | $15.75 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $31,513 | $15.15 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $34,616 | $16.64 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $33,959 | $16.33 |
| 18 | Illinois | $32,171 | $15.47 |
| 19 | Michigan | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| 20 | Idaho | $32,836 | $15.79 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $34,826 | $16.74 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $31,222 | $15.01 |
| 23 | Colorado | $30,033 | $14.44 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $30,141 | $14.49 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $30,825 | $14.82 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $31,196 | $15.00 |
| 27 | Nevada | $27,849 | $13.39 |
| 28 | Ohio | $28,618 | $13.76 |
| 29 | Indiana | $28,462 | $13.68 |
| 30 | Iowa | $29,249 | $14.06 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $29,383 | $14.13 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $26,742 | $12.86 |
| 33 | Maryland | $29,567 | $14.21 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $27,297 | $13.12 |
| 35 | Missouri | $28,434 | $13.67 |
| 36 | Utah | $26,763 | $12.87 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $29,958 | $14.40 |
| 38 | Texas | $25,363 | $12.19 |
| 39 | Kansas | $27,156 | $13.06 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $26,143 | $12.57 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $26,767 | $12.87 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $22,982 | $11.05 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $24,417 | $11.74 |
| 44 | Florida | $22,491 | $10.81 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $25,614 | $12.31 |
| 46 | Alabama | $22,184 | $10.67 |
| 47 | Georgia | $22,384 | $10.76 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $25,794 | $12.40 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $20,336 | $9.78 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $23,959 | $11.52 |
| 51 | Virginia | $25,201 | $12.12 |
Highest paying cities for car runners
The highest-paying cities for car runners are Saint Paul, MN, Richmond, CA, and Philadelphia, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul, MN | $36,387 | $17.49 |
| 2 | Richmond, CA | $36,022 | $17.32 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,501 | $15.14 |
| 4 | Littleton, CO | $30,025 | $14.44 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $29,764 | $14.31 |
| 6 | Omaha, NE | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $28,077 | $13.50 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $27,455 | $13.20 |
| 9 | Albuquerque, NM | $25,918 | $12.46 |
| 10 | Fort Worth, TX | $25,388 | $12.21 |
| 11 | Petersburg, VA | $24,829 | $11.94 |
Car runner salary details
A car runner's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $41,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a car runner's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $32,337 | $2,695 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying car runner jobs
The highest paying types of car runners are hydroblaster, truck washer, and runner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Porter | $28,469 | $2,372 | $13.69 | 10,027 |
| Automotive Detailer | $28,357 | $2,363 | $13.63 | 37,088 |
| Auto Detailer | $28,746 | $2,396 | $13.82 | 11,018 |
| Detailer | $29,506 | $2,459 | $14.19 | 6,789 |
| Aircraft Cleaner | $31,199 | $2,600 | $15.00 | 39,138 |
| Car Wash Attendant | $30,843 | $2,570 | $14.83 | 49,512 |
Top companies hiring car runners now:
Which companies pay car runners the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IT TECHNOLOGY | $34,718 | $16.69 |
| 2 | ITS ConGlobal | $32,457 | $15.60 |
| 3 | Vacasa | $32,325 | $15.54 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Car runner salary trends
The average car runner salary has risen by $9,114 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average car runner earned $23,223 annually, but today, they earn $32,337 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for car runners over the last decade.
Compare car runner salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average car runner salary over time
Compare car runner salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Car runner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,300 | $15.55 | +6.7% |
| 2024 | $30,200 | $14.51 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | $28,700 | $13.80 | +4.8% |
| 2022 | $27,300 | $13.14 | +4.9% |
| 2021 | $26,000 | $12.50 | +4.1% |
Recently added car runner salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Albuquerque, NM | 07/23/2024 | $43,097 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Fort Worth, TX | 07/23/2024 | $40,947 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Richmond, CA | 07/23/2024 | $48,481 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Billings, MT | 07/23/2024 | $43,097 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Saint Paul, MN | 07/23/2024 | $49,566 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Elwood, IL | 07/23/2024 | $42,032 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Albuquerque, NM | 07/23/2024 | $43,097 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Fort Worth, TX | 07/23/2024 | $40,947 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Richmond, CA | 07/23/2024 | $48,481 |
| Its Conglobal | General Laborer-Car Runner | Billings, MT | 07/23/2024 | $43,097 |
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