The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $37,850 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,330.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Automobile dealers
$42,360
Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance
35,600
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores
31,890
Many experienced technicians working for automobile dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer. Under this system, which is commonly known as “flat rate” or “flag rate,” weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed. Some repair shops may pay technicians on an hourly basis instead.
Most service technicians work full time, and many work evenings or weekends. Overtime is common.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median annual wages, May 2015
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers
$40,160
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
$37,850
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
