Auto mechanic salary

Auto mechanics in the U.S. earn a median $50,620 a year.

Median pay
$50,620
Median hourly
$24.34
Typical range
$34,660–$81,790
Jobs
704,640

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for auto mechanics in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$34,660
25th$38,900
Median$50,620
75th$70,430
90th (top earners)$81,790

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$57,76028,420
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$62,82022,330
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$55,32020,140
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$49,72017,690
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$50,94014,910
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$58,46012,700
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$51,45012,310
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$61,86012,030
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$49,55011,970
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$50,09011,340

Auto mechanic salary by state

  1. –District of Columbia$68,660
  2. 1California$64,980
  3. 2Colorado$61,280
  4. 3Alaska$60,840
  5. 4Massachusetts$60,760
  6. 5Connecticut$60,220
  7. 6Virginia$59,330
  8. 7New Hampshire$59,020
  9. 8Montana$58,740
  10. 9Oregon$58,520
  11. 10Delaware$58,410
  12. 11Minnesota$58,390
  13. 12Maryland$57,520
  14. 13North Dakota$57,360
  15. 14Washington$57,270
  16. 15New Jersey$56,610
  17. 16Wisconsin$54,350
  18. 17Michigan$54,120
  19. 18New York$54,120
  20. 19Hawaii$52,160
  21. 20Maine$52,040
  22. 21Rhode Island$51,770
  23. 22Vermont$51,630
  24. 23Wyoming$51,330
  25. 24South Dakota$51,160
  26. 25Nebraska$50,560
  27. 26Iowa$50,510
  28. 27Tennessee$50,290
  29. 28Pennsylvania$49,800
  30. 29Arizona$49,570
  31. 30Indiana$49,360
  32. 31Illinois$49,170
  33. 32Missouri$49,160
  34. 33Georgia$49,060
  35. 34Ohio$48,710
  36. 35Idaho$48,420
  37. 36Texas$48,310
  38. 37Nevada$48,290
  39. 38Florida$48,260
  40. 39North Carolina$48,200
  41. 40South Carolina$48,100
  42. 41Kansas$47,790
  43. 42New Mexico$47,300
  44. 43Utah$46,570
  45. 44Oklahoma$46,560
  46. 45Louisiana$46,400
  47. 46Alabama$45,640
  48. 47Kentucky$44,890
  49. 48Arkansas$44,160
  50. 49Mississippi$37,820
  51. 50West Virginia$37,660
  52. –Puerto Rico$22,680

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

Auto mechanic schoolsHow to become an auto mechanic

Frequently asked questions

How much do auto mechanics make?

The median pay for auto mechanics in the U.S. is $50,620 a year ($24.34 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,660, and the top 10% earn over $81,790.

Which states pay auto mechanics the most?

The top-paying states are California ($64,980), Colorado ($61,280), Alaska ($60,840), Massachusetts ($60,760), Connecticut ($60,220).

How can an auto mechanic earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become an auto mechanic covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, SOC 49-3023). Figures exclude self-employed workers.