Best cities for a shop mechanic
The best cities for shop mechanics are Oakland, CA, Stockton, CA, and Fresno, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for shop mechanics vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for shop mechanics in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a shop mechanic or considering a move, this list of the best cities for shop mechanics to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for shop mechanics. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a shop mechanic. While the absolute best city for shop mechanics is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for shop mechanics in 2024.
If you're looking for a shop mechanic job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for shop mechanics in 2026
1. Oakland, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $64,652 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 4.30 2. Stockton, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $64,080 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 2.90 3. Fresno, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $63,221 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 6.43 4. Bakersfield, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $62,178 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 3.41 5. Pittsburgh, PA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $53,453 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 1.02 6. Anaheim, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $60,715 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 3.05 7. Portland, OR
Total shop mechanic jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $56,299 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 1.21 8. Riverside, CA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $60,569 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 2.58 9. Oklahoma City, OK
Total shop mechanic jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $47,211 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 1.01 10. Seattle, WA
Total shop mechanic jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $60,814 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 0.30
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Best cities for shop mechanics
- Oakland, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Anaheim, CA
- Portland, OR
- Riverside, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Seattle, WA
- (8 shop mechanic jobs)
- (2 shop mechanic jobs)
- (7 shop mechanic jobs)
- (3 shop mechanic jobs)
- (6 shop mechanic jobs)
- (3 shop mechanic jobs)
- (8 shop mechanic jobs)
- (3 shop mechanic jobs)
- (4 shop mechanic jobs)
- (5 shop mechanic jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a shop mechanic
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $64,652 | $44,000 | 420,005 | 8 |
| 2 | Stockton, CA | $64,080 | $44,000 | 307,072 | 2 |
| 3 | Fresno, CA | $63,221 | $44,000 | 522,053 | 7 |
| 4 | Bakersfield, CA | $62,178 | $43,000 | 376,380 | 3 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,453 | $37,000 | 303,625 | 6 |
| 6 | Anaheim, CA | $60,715 | $43,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $56,299 | $40,000 | 639,863 | 8 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $60,569 | $42,000 | 324,722 | 3 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $47,211 | $34,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $60,814 | $43,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $46,341 | $32,000 | 263,016 | 4 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $61,025 | $43,000 | 3,976,322 | 9 |
| 13 | San Francisco, CA | $64,774 | $45,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $51,143 | $35,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $45,816 | $32,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $52,597 | $36,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 17 | Fort Wayne, IN | $42,882 | $30,000 | 264,488 | 3 |
| 18 | Philadelphia, PA | $55,391 | $39,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 19 | Fremont, CA | $64,509 | $44,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | $59,899 | $42,000 | 1,406,630 | 8 |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $59,493 | $49,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 22 | San Jose, CA | $64,449 | $44,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 23 | Tulsa, OK | $47,155 | $34,000 | 403,090 | 1 |
| 24 | Sacramento, CA | $64,053 | $44,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 25 | Lubbock, TX | $42,869 | $31,000 | 252,506 | 1 |
| 26 | Cleveland, OH | $45,260 | $31,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 27 | Laredo, TX | $42,282 | $30,000 | 257,156 | 2 |
| 28 | Boston, MA | $57,019 | $40,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 29 | North Las Vegas, NV | $51,071 | $35,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 30 | Raleigh, NC | $46,269 | $32,000 | 458,880 | 3 |
| 31 | Henderson, NV | $50,990 | $35,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 32 | Louisville, KY | $44,547 | $31,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 33 | Memphis, TN | $42,123 | $30,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 34 | Charlotte, NC | $44,929 | $32,000 | 842,051 | 11 |
| 35 | Tucson, AZ | $43,294 | $31,000 | 530,706 | 4 |
| 36 | Long Beach, CA | $60,784 | $43,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 37 | Buffalo, NY | $51,964 | $36,000 | 256,902 | 5 |
| 38 | Madison, WI | $46,547 | $32,000 | 252,551 | 1 |
| 39 | Santa Ana, CA | $60,645 | $43,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 40 | El Paso, TX | $43,661 | $31,000 | 683,080 | 1 |
| 41 | Columbus, OH | $43,581 | $30,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 42 | Irvine, CA | $60,570 | $43,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 43 | Toledo, OH | $44,506 | $31,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 44 | Lexington, KY | $44,797 | $31,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 45 | Denver, CO | $51,020 | $36,000 | 693,060 | 12 |
| 46 | Mesa, AZ | $43,710 | $31,000 | 484,587 | 1 |
| 47 | Fort Worth, TX | $42,257 | $30,000 | 854,113 | 5 |
| 48 | Wichita, KS | $43,264 | $31,000 | 389,902 | 1 |
| 49 | Chula Vista, CA | $59,791 | $42,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 50 | Tampa, FL | $43,483 | $31,000 | 377,165 | 11 |
Highest paying cities for shop mechanics
| Rank | City | Avg. shop mechanic salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $64,652 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $56,299 |
| 3 | Grand Junction, CO | $51,617 |
| 4 | Ames, IA | $48,285 |
| 5 | Lafayette, LA | $46,310 |
| 6 | Livonia, MI | $45,705 |
| 7 | West Jordan, UT | $45,282 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | $44,929 |
| 9 | Pensacola, FL | $43,970 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,854 |
| 11 | Huntsville, AL | $43,529 |
| 12 | Midland, TX | $42,838 |
| 13 | Lafayette, IN | $41,955 |
| 14 | Gainesville, GA | $40,728 |
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Updated January 8, 2025