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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina
Considering working as an Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. Excludes “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” (49-3021), “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031), and “Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles” (49-2096).
What do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Make in South Carolina?
For a automotive service technicians and mechanics working in South Carolina, the median annual wage is $45,950 per year (or about $22.09/hour).Earnings range from $28,330 at the 10th percentile to $77,790 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 25th percentile | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Median (50th) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| 75th percentile | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 90th percentile | $77,790 | $37.40 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina relative to the national average — is 1.37, suggesting that automotive service technicians and mechanics are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, automotive service technicians and mechanics earn a median of $40,917 per year ($19.67/hour), exceeding the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 157,414 automotive service technicians and mechanics across the United States. In South Carolina alone, approximately 13,950 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 8,910 automotive service technicians and mechanics.
Top South Carolina Metros for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
The largest metro-area employers of automotive service technicians and mechanics in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 2,730 | $47,220 |
| Columbia, SC | 2,690 | $46,330 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 2,340 | $46,540 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 1,140 | $44,190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 940 | $46,680 |
| Florence, SC | 640 | $43,930 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 530 | $47,830 |
| Sumter, SC | 210 | $44,700 |
Top States for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Employment
The table below shows the states where the most automotive service technicians and mechanics work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 67,060 |
| California | 62,110 |
| Florida | 46,090 |
| New York | 31,790 |
| Pennsylvania | 29,020 |
| Illinois | 26,710 |
| North Carolina | 25,260 |
| Georgia | 24,000 |
| Ohio | 22,950 |
| Michigan | 20,650 |
| Virginia | 17,740 |
| Arizona | 17,390 |
| New Jersey | 16,820 |
| Missouri | 16,810 |
| Tennessee | 16,390 |
| Indiana | 15,610 |
| Maryland | 14,310 |
| South Carolina | 13,950 |
| Washington | 13,740 |
| Minnesota | 13,500 |
Highest-Paying States for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
These states pay the most for automotive service technicians and mechanics.
| 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 |
Skills
The most important automotive service technicians and mechanics skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for automotive service technicians and mechanics, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics typically:
- 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.
- Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
- Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
- Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
- Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Working with Computers
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Careers similar to automotive service technicians and mechanics include:
- Automotive Engineers
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
- Avionics Technicians
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Also Known 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, Audio Installer, Auto A/C Installer (Automotive Air Conditioning Installer), Auto A/C Mechanic (Automotive Air Conditioning Mechanic), Auto Assistant (Automotive Assistant), Auto Bench Mechanic (Automotive Bench Mechanic), Auto Brake Mechanic (Automotive Brake Mechanic), Auto Clutch Rebuilder (Automotive Clutch Rebuilder).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 49-3023.00
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