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Transportation mechanic salary
Average transportation mechanic salary
$42,103
Understanding Transportation Mechanic Salaries
Transportation mechanics play a vital role in maintaining vehicles and ensuring they operate safely and efficiently. As of October 2025, the average salary for a transportation mechanic stands at $42,103 annually. Factors influencing this salary include geographic location, years of experience, and the type of employer. For instance, mechanics in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments.
Average Salaries by Experience
Entry-level transportation mechanics typically earn less than their more experienced counterparts. Those with several years in the field can see their salaries rise significantly, with top earners making over $60,000 per year. This highlights the importance of gaining experience and possibly pursuing further certifications to enhance earning potential.
Top Paying Locations
Some of the highest-paying states for transportation mechanics include California, Texas, and New York, where the concentration of automotive and transportation industries is higher. Cities such as San Francisco and New York City also offer competitive salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled mechanics.
By exploring different job opportunities and understanding the salary landscape, prospective transportation mechanics can make informed career decisions that align with their financial goals.
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Where can a Transportation Mechanic earn more?
Transportation mechanic salaries by experience level
Average transportation mechanic salary by state
The highest-paying states for transportation mechanics are Massachusetts, Washington, and New York. The lowest average transportation mechanic salary states are West Virginia, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for transportation mechanics
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $48,446 | $23.29 |
| 2 | Alaska | $51,805 | $24.91 |
| 3 | Nevada | $50,085 | $24.08 |
| 4 | Maine | $48,051 | $23.10 |
| 5 | Washington | $52,989 | $25.48 |
| 6 | Iowa | $43,435 | $20.88 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $43,891 | $21.10 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $53,465 | $25.70 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $49,966 | $24.02 |
| 10 | New York | $51,855 | $24.93 |
| 11 | Illinois | $49,663 | $23.88 |
| 12 | Vermont | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| 13 | Michigan | $45,452 | $21.85 |
| 14 | California | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $48,942 | $23.53 |
| 16 | Missouri | $45,218 | $21.74 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $40,169 | $19.31 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $45,506 | $21.88 |
| 19 | Virginia | $45,776 | $22.01 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $39,692 | $19.08 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $43,388 | $20.86 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $43,108 | $20.73 |
| 23 | Idaho | $40,178 | $19.32 |
| 24 | Oregon | $45,202 | $21.73 |
| 25 | Alabama | $39,038 | $18.77 |
| 26 | Ohio | $41,021 | $19.72 |
| 27 | Utah | $40,438 | $19.44 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $47,733 | $22.95 |
| 29 | Maryland | $45,614 | $21.93 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $49,108 | $23.61 |
| 31 | Montana | $38,771 | $18.64 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $45,716 | $21.98 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $37,743 | $18.15 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $38,699 | $18.61 |
| 35 | Indiana | $38,348 | $18.44 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| 37 | Delaware | $40,762 | $19.60 |
| 38 | Texas | $38,662 | $18.59 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $36,659 | $17.62 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $37,505 | $18.03 |
| 42 | Colorado | $40,669 | $19.55 |
| 43 | Kansas | $38,338 | $18.43 |
| 44 | Arizona | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $36,424 | $17.51 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $33,801 | $16.25 |
| 47 | Georgia | $37,474 | $18.02 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| 49 | Florida | $36,566 | $17.58 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $33,249 | $15.99 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $35,211 | $16.93 |
Highest paying cities for transportation mechanics
The highest-paying cities for transportation mechanics are Monroe, NY, Tracy, CA, and Waukegan, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monroe, NY | $52,183 | $25.09 |
| 2 | Tracy, CA | $51,094 | $24.56 |
| 3 | Waukegan, IL | $50,342 | $24.20 |
| 4 | Fredericksburg, VA | $46,644 | $22.43 |
| 5 | Salem, OR | $45,277 | $21.77 |
| 6 | Washington, NJ | $45,016 | $21.64 |
| 7 | Longmont, CO | $40,913 | $19.67 |
| 8 | Lubbock, TX | $39,173 | $18.83 |
| 9 | Topeka, KS | $38,483 | $18.50 |
| 10 | Alpharetta, GA | $37,618 | $18.09 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,867 | $17.72 |
| 12 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,859 | $17.72 |
| 13 | Greenville, MS | $33,723 | $16.21 |
| 14 | Anderson, SC | $33,373 | $16.04 |
Transportation mechanic salary details
A transportation mechanic's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $56,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a transportation mechanic's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| Average | $42,103 | $3,509 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying transportation mechanic jobs
The highest paying types of transportation mechanics are mobile equipment mechanic, truck mechanic, and fleet mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Technician | $46,868 | $3,906 | $22.53 | 128,944 |
| Shop Technician | $36,798 | $3,066 | $17.69 | 150,349 |
| Mechanic Helper | $31,892 | $2,658 | $15.33 | 48,546 |
| Mobile Equipment Mechanic | $72,190 | $6,016 | $34.71 | 105,687 |
| Truck Technician | $44,554 | $3,713 | $21.42 | 204,626 |
| Light Wheel Mechanic | $41,948 | $3,496 | $20.17 | 90,297 |
Top companies hiring transportation mechanics now:
Which companies pay transportation mechanics the most?
Transportation mechanic salaries at WEC Energy Group and Steel Dynamics are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average transportation mechanic salary at companies like Tracy Unified School District and Lodi Unified School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEC Energy Group | $56,037 | $26.94 |
| 2 | Steel Dynamics | $51,766 | $24.89 |
| 3 | Tracy Unified School District | $46,863 | $22.53 |
| 4 | Lodi Unified School District | $46,352 | $22.28 |
| 5 | Jordan/Jackson Elementary School | $44,567 | $21.43 |
| 6 | McLane | $44,513 | $21.40 |
| 7 | Auburn-Washburn USD 437 | $43,281 | $20.81 |
| 8 | Salem-Keizer Public Schools | $42,447 | $20.41 |
| 9 | Carbon Lehigh IU #21 | $42,022 | $20.20 |
| 10 | KBR | $41,892 | $20.14 |
| 11 | Select Energy Services | $40,855 | $19.64 |
| 12 | College Station Isd | $40,402 | $19.42 |
| 13 | Grandville Public Schools | $38,491 | $18.51 |
| 14 | Paradise Valley Unified School District | $36,517 | $17.56 |
| 15 | Derby Public Schools | $34,721 | $16.69 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Transportation Mechanic salary by industry
The average transportation mechanic salary varies across industries:
- The average transportation mechanic salary in the transportation industry is $44,485, the highest of any industry.
- The average transportation mechanic salary in the finance industry is $41,473.
- Transportation mechanics in the automotive industry earn an average salary of $40,929, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for transportation mechanics
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $44,485 | $21.39 |
| 2 | Government | $41,473 | $19.94 |
| 3 | Education | $41,261 | $19.84 |
| 4 | Automotive | $40,929 | $19.68 |
High paying transportation mechanic jobs
Transportation mechanic salary trends
The average transportation mechanic salary has risen by $7,179 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average transportation mechanic earned $34,924 annually, but today, they earn $42,103 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for transportation mechanics over the last decade.
Compare transportation mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average transportation mechanic salary over time
Compare transportation mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Transportation mechanic salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,100 | $20.24 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $40,700 | $19.56 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $39,700 | $19.09 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $38,900 | $18.69 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $37,900 | $18.21 | +1.4% |
Recently added transportation mechanic salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bridge Township Public Schools | Transportation-Mechanic | Downe, NJ | 06/22/2025 | $48,690 |
| Old Bridge Township School District | Transportation-Mechanic | Matawan, NJ | 06/20/2025 | $48,690 |
| Bloomington, Mn Public Schools | Transportation Center Mechanic | Bloomington, MN | 06/13/2025 | $45,142 |
| Salem-Keizer School District | Lube Mechanic-Transportation | Salem, OR | 06/10/2025 | $42,617 |
| Oregon Public Schools | Lube Mechanic-Transportation | Salem, OR | 06/06/2025 | $42,617 |
| McLane Company, Inc. | Transportation Mechanic II | Brookhaven, MS | 06/03/2025 | $44,683 |
| McLane Company, Inc. | Transportation Mechanic II | Brookhaven, MS | 05/28/2025 | $44,683 |
| Lenape Regional High School District | Transportation Mechanic | Downe, NJ | 05/21/2025 | $53,515 |
| Paradise Valley Unified School District | Mechanic I-Transportation Dept. | Phoenix, AZ | 05/13/2025 | $41,865 |
| Paradise Valley USD 69 | Mechanic I-Transportation Dept. | Phoenix, AZ | 05/13/2025 | $41,865 |
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