Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Automotive service technicians and mechanics work in a large, established field with 806,000 jobs nationwide. The role combines hands-on mechanical work with problem solving, critical thinking, and customer service. Workers in this occupation use fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and knowledge of science and computers to diagnose and repair vehicles. The national median annual salary of $49,670 reflects solid earning potential, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 4.2% and 70,000 annual openings indicate ongoing demand for new workers, including both new entrants and those replacing others who leave. The typical education requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, making this a pathway that does not require a bachelor’s degree. For people interested in related mechanical fields, similar occupations include motorboat mechanics and service technicians, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, farm equipment mechanics and service technicians, elevator and escalator installers and repairers, and motorcycle mechanics.
The national median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics is $49,670, but pay varies significantly by location. Several states offer higher median salaries, including California at $64,980, Massachusetts at $60,760, Colorado at $61,280, and Washington at $57,270. Among metro areas, pay can be even higher: the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $77,840, while the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area reports $76,030. Other high-paying metros include Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $63,060 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $61,860. These figures show that technicians who are flexible about where they work may find substantially higher median earnings in certain states and metro regions. Because this occupation typically requires a postsecondary nondegree award rather than a bachelor’s degree, the salary levels can be attractive relative to the educational investment required.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics currently hold 806,000 jobs nationwide, indicating a large employment base. Projected employment growth of 4.2% suggests that the field is expected to expand over time rather than contract. In addition, there are 70,000 annual openings, which include opportunities created by growth as well as positions that open when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force. This combination of an established workforce, positive projected growth, and a sizable number of openings each year points to steady opportunities for both new entrants and experienced technicians. Growth of 4.2% is also consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, providing a degree of predictability for people considering different locations. For individuals who want a mechanically focused role with ongoing demand and who are prepared to develop the required technical and customer service skills, this occupation offers a stable long-term employment outlook.
Career opportunities for automotive service technicians and mechanics differ by state and metro, with some regions standing out for higher salaries and stronger overall opportunity scores. Among states, California leads with a median salary of $64,980, employment of 65,420, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also show strong scores of 65.87 and 65.78, respectively, with median salaries of $60,760 and $54,120. Colorado and Washington provide median salaries above $57,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is notable with a median salary of $77,840 and the highest opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 28,420. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH all combine higher median salaries with opportunity scores above 63, making them strong localized markets within this field.
The typical education requirement for automotive service technicians and mechanics is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means most people enter the occupation after completing education or training beyond high school that does not lead to a bachelor’s degree. Success in this career depends on a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. Key abilities include fine motor skills, mechanical aptitude, and physical strength and stamina for hands-on work. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, support effective diagnosis and repair. Being detail oriented and having a grounding in science are also important. Customer service skills matter because technicians interact with vehicle owners and other clients. Modern workplaces in this field also value competence with computers and information technology, as well as strong writing and reading skills. Together, these skills and the postsecondary nondegree credential form the core preparation pathway for this occupation.
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