Find Trade Colleges
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Job Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
The Daily Work of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Take On?
Typical responsibilities of automotive service technicians and mechanics include:
- 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top automotive service technicians and mechanics combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- 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
Job Outlook
There are roughly 157,414 automotive service technicians and mechanics working in the United States today. This occupation is expected 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 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| 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 |
Top Metro Areas
| 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 |
Which Industries Hire Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
The largest employers of automotive service technicians and mechanics are concentrated in the following sectors:
| 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 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- 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 on-the-job environment of 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
Getting Started in This Career
Typical automotive service technicians and mechanics positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
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)
Degree Programs
Future automotive service technicians and mechanics commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
6 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
2 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on 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).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.