Salary Outlook
The median annual salary for mechanic and automotive technicians was $37,120 in 2014. The highest earners in the field made about $62,280, while the lowest-paid took home $20,800. Top earners in the profession work in the following industries: natural gas distribution, couriers and express delivery services, and other fabricated metal product manufacturing. The best-compensated mechanics work in the metropolitan areas of Fairbanks, Alaska; San Francisco; and San Jose, California.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | $33,770 |
| 2008 | $34,780 |
| 2010 | $36,820 |
| 2012 | $39,060 |
| 2014 | $39,980 |
Average Auto Mechanic Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
The average salary for an auto mechanic was $39,980 in 2014, which is higher than what many comparable workers earn. For instance, landscapers and groundskeepers rake in $26,720 annually. With yearly earnings of $38,390, maintenance and repair workers also make less than auto techs. Fabricators and security guards also earn less, with annual salaries of $28,730 and $28,040, respectively. Patrol officers, however, outearn mechanics, claiming an average salary of $59,560 in 2014.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Patrol Officer | $59,560 |
| Auto Mechanic | $39,980 |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker | $38,390 |
| Fabricator | $38,160 |
| Landscaper and Groundskeeper | $26,720 |
Best Paying Cities for Auto Mechanics
The highest paid in the auto mechanic profession work in the metropolitan areas of Fairbanks, Alaska, San Francisco, and San Jose, California. The Santa Cruz, California area also pays well, as does the city of District of Columbia.
Fairbanks, Alaska
The average salary of an auto mechanic working in Fairbanks, Alaska is $54,360.
San Francisco
The average salary of an auto mechanic working in San Francisco is $52,690.
San Jose, California
The average salary of an auto mechanic working in San Jose, California is $51,980.
Santa Cruz, California
The average salary of an auto mechanic working in Santa Cruz, California is $50,840.
District of Columbia
The average salary of an auto mechanic working in District of Columbia is $50,190.
How much do auto mechanics make in your city?
Powered by
Last updated by Nathan Hellman.
$37,470 Median Salary
