When choosing any career path, the amount of money you can make is an important deciding factor. In fact, financial potential is one of the several factors that make it at the top of the must-have list.
So if you are thinking to start off in the automotive industry, you need to know the average salary and benefits you can potentially get. This is going to help you understand the market for auto mechanics better.
And to help you with that, we are going to discuss how much money a mechanic can make. At the end of this post, you will know exactly how much mechanics earn and whether this role will be enough to keep you financially afloat.
Contents
What is The Average Salary of Auto Mechanics?
To help you get started, you need to understand that the average mechanic salary varies and depends on a number of different factors.
Salary ranges for entry-level car mechanic positions vary according to experience, region, sector, and type of training. Furthermore, many firms provide a minimum wage to auto mechanics who normally work on commission.
Moreover, in addition to the median salary, auto mechanics can also receive other benefits like paid vacation, maintenance allowance, and overtime pay.
But to help you get a clearer picture, let’s explore the hourly rate of auto mechanics.
How Much Money Does A Mechanic Make in An Hour?
The average hourly wage for an AUTO Mechanic in the United States is $21.07 per hour as of December 2022.
While some recruitment platforms report hourly wages as high as $33.41 and as low as $9.62, the bulk of car mechanic wages in the United States now range from $16.35 (25th percentile) to $24.28 (75th percentile).
The typical pay range for an auto tech or mechanic varies significantly (by as much as $7.93), implying that there may be several prospects for growth and higher income dependent on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Again, the average mechanic salary for more qualified and ASE certified mechanics can be higher. In the end, the hourly rate, job title, and the number of benefits boil down to the individual profile of the entry-level mechanic.
Career Overview of Auto Mechanics
Before you can analyze the hourly rate of companies in the industry, you need to understand what the career role of a mechanic looks like.
Automotive service professionals and mechanics are in charge of diagnosing, examining, and repairing automobiles and other sorts of vehicles.
While all technicians and mechanics must have a fundamental understanding of the tools and parts required to maintain and repair automobiles, others may specialize in a particular aspect of the business. Air conditioning or brake repair, wheel alignment, engine repair, transmissions, and drivability are just a few of the options available.
You can also specialize in the type of vehicles you service. For example, you can opt to service light trucks or luxury cars, depending on the hourly rate for these vehicles.
The hourly rate also depends on the time position that you end up opting for as a mechanic.
To stay on top of the different job roles available within the industry, you should sign up for job alerts on some of the top recruitment platforms. This will help you understand the nature of jobs available for mechanics much better.
Below, you can find a quick list of the important facts about the job role of a mechanic.
Required Education
Although a high school diploma or GED is required, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a post-secondary training program. One of the great benefits of completing a post-secondary program is that you will be able to increase your employability.
If you are more qualified, you can even charge a higher hourly rate and demand a better job title.
On-the-Job Training
Many jobs in the industry not only pay you for the hours worked, but also offer paid, on the job training. This is often also counted in your experience level.
Long-term training lasting two to five years.
Licensure
The Environmental Protection Agency requires technicians who work with refrigerants to be licensed (EPA).
Professional Certification
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers specialty certification, which is frequently required by companies.
Key Skills
Some of the key skills that employers expect mechanics to know are attention to detail, the ability to troubleshoot and work with customers, dexterity, and mechanical abilities.
Similar Roles and Occupations
As employees in the auto repair industry, you can always explore more roles. You don’t have to just be a mechanic.
The Outlook for Auto Mechanic Jobs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automobile service technicians and mechanics held roughly 620,110 positions in May 2020. (www.bls.gov). According to the BLS, 27% of auto technicians worked in automotive repair shops in 2019, while 33% worked for auto dealers. 13% of all working automobile mechanics were self-employed.
The BLS predicts a 4% reduction in employment for this career between 2019 and 2029. Individuals who are skilled and educated are assumed to have the best opportunities, while those who have not finished formal training may face tremendous competition.
Better experienced and skilled mechanics can, however, still charge a higher per hour rate or salaries as compared to their counterparts.
Auto Mechanic Salary Overview
According to the BLS, the average hourly wage for automotive and repair technicians and auto mechanics in May 2020 was $22.48 (these stats are similar to the ones we saw for 2022).
The hourly median wage was $21.18. Wages for the middle 50% ranged from $15.66 to $28.04 per hour. The lowest-paid hourly workers earned $12.40 or less per hour, while auto mechanics got $34.59 or more per hour.
The amount of work accomplished each week determines weekly earnings. Employers will frequently guarantee trained technicians a set hourly wage. Furthermore, workers who belong to labor unions can expect to get a better income and greater benefits than non-union members.
Breaking Down Average Salary by Industry
The industry in which you work will also have an impact on your average hourly wage. Because of the large number of eligible applicants, competition for high-paying employment will be fierce.
According to the BLS, the three highest-paying industries for car mechanics and their mean hourly incomes in May 2020 were:
- Manufacturing of aerospace products and parts: $36.76
- Natural gas distribution costs $35.98
- Telecommunications costs $35.14.
Your chances of finding work may be better in industries that employ the most auto mechanics. Although they paid slightly less than the highest-paying businesses, the industries with the most car mechanics paid the following average hourly wages in 2020:
- $23.92 for car dealerships
- $21.02 for automotive repair and maintenance
- $20.04 for auto parts, accessories, and tires
- $26.65 for local government
- $20.74 at gas stations
Breaking Down Salary by State
Your income as an auto mechanic will differ depending on where you live. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top three states in terms of compensation in May 2020 were:
- $31.08 in the District of Columbia
- $26.22 (California)
- Washington State: $25.25
The top three states in terms of employment level had the following mean hourly wages:
- $26.22 (California)
- Texas: $22.84
- Florida ($21.09)
Breaking Down Salary by Experience Level
According to PayScale.com, the number of years of experience an auto mechanic has also played a significant impact in deciding how much money they make each hour. In March 2021, the 10th-90th percentile salaries differed depending on the number of years of experience that workers had obtained in their respective fields, as follows:
- 0-4 years: $12.88-$15.00
- 5-9 years: $19.05
- 10-19 years: $22.02
- Twenty years of age or more: $24.44
Wrapping it Up
As a mechanic, you need to know the average pay or money you can make in the business of repairs. In fact, how well a job pays is the main deciding factor while choosing your career. Employees working in the auto repair industry can make good money but the average or median salary varies with a number of factors that are explored in this post.