Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Career Overview
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
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What Tasks Do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Perform?
The core tasks performed by automotive service technicians and mechanics cover:
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
- Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
- Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
- Align vehicles' front ends.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective automotive service technicians and mechanics draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician)
- AC Mechanic (Air Conditioning Mechanic)
- ASE Master Mechanic (Automotive Service Excellence Master Mechanic)
- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Maintenance Technician (AFV Maintenance Tech)
- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Repair Technician (AFV Repair Tech)
- Ambulance Mechanic
- Antenna Installer
- Antenna Specialist
How Many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Are There?
There are about 157,414 automotive service technicians and mechanics working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +6.9% over the projection horizon.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $40,917 |
| Hourly median | $19.67 |
| 10th percentile | $22,753 |
| 25th percentile | $31,835 |
| 75th percentile | $50,000 |
| 90th percentile | $59,082 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71,030 |
| California | $63,370 |
| Alaska | $61,950 |
| Colorado | $59,340 |
| New Hampshire | $58,460 |
| Washington | $57,790 |
| Maryland | $57,560 |
| Massachusetts | $57,470 |
| Minnesota | $57,470 |
| New Jersey | $57,290 |
| Montana | $57,060 |
| Oregon | $56,720 |
| Virginia | $56,320 |
| Connecticut | $56,220 |
| New York | $51,650 |
| North Dakota | $51,400 |
| Wisconsin | $50,990 |
| Rhode Island | $50,690 |
| Hawaii | $50,560 |
| Illinois | $50,450 |
| Delaware | $50,350 |
| Vermont | $50,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,790 |
| Arizona | $49,400 |
| Maine | $49,390 |
| Michigan | $48,840 |
| Nebraska | $48,810 |
| Georgia | $48,800 |
| Texas | $48,660 |
| North Carolina | $48,530 |
| Florida | $48,520 |
| South Dakota | $48,410 |
| Iowa | $48,400 |
| Nevada | $47,570 |
| Indiana | $47,550 |
| Tennessee | $47,460 |
| Idaho | $47,420 |
| New Mexico | $47,040 |
| Ohio | $47,010 |
| Kansas | $47,010 |
| Utah | $46,990 |
| Missouri | $46,710 |
| Louisiana | $46,020 |
| South Carolina | $45,950 |
| Wyoming | $45,860 |
| Alabama | $45,710 |
| Arkansas | $43,830 |
| Virgin Islands | $42,050 |
| Oklahoma | $41,720 |
| Guam | $40,950 |
| Kentucky | $39,940 |
| Mississippi | $38,070 |
| West Virginia | $36,320 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,770 |
Where Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Earn the Most
Pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $60,414 | 13.6% | 0.82 |
| New England | $55,558 | 4.5% | 0.98 |
| Middle Atlantic | $53,014 | 13.6% | 0.94 |
| Rocky Mountains | $52,795 | 4.4% | 1.11 |
| Plains States | $50,136 | 7.7% | 1.13 |
| Great Lakes | $48,901 | 14.1% | 1.00 |
| Southwest | $48,049 | 14.3% | 1.13 |
| Southeast | $47,463 | 27.4% | 1.12 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $77,260 | 3,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $74,590 | 7,620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $71,360 | 920 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $67,270 | 200 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | CA | $66,170 | 360 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | AK | $65,440 | 260 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $64,930 | 4,470 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | CA | $64,060 | 570 |
Top Industries Employing Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Most automotive service technicians and mechanics work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 349,330 | $49,140 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 242,800 | $48,330 |
| Wholesale Trade | 19,710 | $53,380 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 14,500 | $62,670 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 8,340 | $48,010 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 6,110 | $49,560 |
| Manufacturing | 4,820 | $57,510 |
| Construction | 3,490 | $55,650 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics work in the following industries:
Software Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Use
- Internet browser software: Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Microsoft Edge (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Mozilla Firefox (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for automotive service technicians and mechanics tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Contaminants
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Spend Time Standing
How to Become Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Typical automotive service technicians and mechanics positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Automotive Engineers (Supplemental)
- Automotive Engineering Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Avionics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Supplemental)
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Supplemental)
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Future automotive service technicians and mechanics typically earn programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
6 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-3023.00 (Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics).
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