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).
National median · BLS
$50,620
▲ +1.91%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$56,420
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
704,640
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$34,660
25th
$38,900
Median (50th)
$50,620
75th
$70,430
90th — top pay
$81,790
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
BLS projects employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 66,200 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
825,800 → 866,700
+40,900 jobs
Projected change
+5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
66,200
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
14.6% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What automotive service technicians and mechanics do
Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
Align vehicles' front ends.
Also called
Auto Mechanic (Automotive Mechanic)Auto Service Tech (Automotive Service Technician)Auto Tech (Automotive Technician)Service Technician (Service Tech)Auto Drivability Tech (Automotive Drivability Technician)Auto Mechanic (Automobile Mechanic)Auto Tech (Automobile Technician)Automatic Transmission Technician (Auto Transmission Tech)Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)Lube Technician (Lube Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (63)
AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician)Alternative Fuel Vehicle Maintenance Technician (AFV Maintenance Tech)Ambulance MechanicASE Master Mechanic (Automotive Service Excellence Master Mechanic)Auto AC Installer (Automotive Air Conditioning Installer)Auto AC Mechanic (Automotive Air Conditioning Mechanic)Auto Bench Mechanic (Automotive Bench Mechanic)Auto Brake Mechanic (Automotive Brake Mechanic)Auto Brake Specialist (Automotive Brake Specialist)Auto Brake Tech (Automotive Brake Technician)Auto Braker Adjuster (Automotive Brake Adjuster)Auto Cooling System Diagnostic Tech (Automotive Cooling System Diagnostic Technician)Auto Engine Mechanic (Automotive Engine Mechanic)Auto Fuel Injection Servicer (Automotive Fuel Injection Servicer)Auto Garage Mechanic (Automotive Garage Mechanic)Auto Headlight Mechanic (Automotive Headlight Mechanic)Auto Heater Mechanic (Automotive Heater Mechanic)Auto Maintenance Tech (Automotive Maintenance Technician)Auto Motor Mechanic (Automotive Motor Mechanic)Auto Overhauler (Automotive Overhauler)Auto Radiator Mechanic (Automobile Radiator Mechanic)Auto Radiator Mechanic (Automotive Radiator Mechanic)Auto Radiator Specialist (Automotive Radiator Specialist)Auto Repair Tech (Automotive Repair Technician)Auto Service Mechanic (Automotive Service Mechanic)Auto Service Station Mechanic (Automobile Service Station Mechanic)Auto Services Break Repairer (Automotive Services Brake Repairer)Auto Specialty Tech (Automotive Specialty Technician)Auto Suspension Mechanic (Automotive Suspension Mechanic)Auto Tech (Automative Technician)Auto Tech Specialist (Automotive Technician Specialist)Auto Tune Up Mechanic (Automotive Tune Up Mechanic)Automatic Transmission Mechanic (Auto Transmission Mechanic)Brake AdjusterBrake RepairerBrake Shoe RebuilderCar MechanicCertified ASE Master Auto Tech (Certified Automotive Service Excellence Master Automotive Technician)Drivability TechnicianFront End MechanicGeneral Service Technician (General Service Tech)Heavy Duty MechanicHybrid Car MechanicLine MechanicMake Ready MechanicMechanical Car CheckerNew Car Get-Ready MechanicNew Car Make Ready MechanicQuick Lube Tech (Quick Lubrication Technician)Race Car MechanicRacing MechanicSteering MechanicTire Technician (Tire Tech)Transmission MechanicTransmission RebuilderTune-Up MechanicUsed Car Make Ready MechanicVehicle MechanicWheel AdjusterWheel AlignerWheel Alignment MechanicWheel Alignment Technician (Wheel Alignment Tech)Wheel Tuner
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $50,620.
