Automotive Engineering Technician Salary in 2026
How Much Do Automotive Engineering Technicians Make?
Automotive Engineering Technicians earn a median annual salary of $68,730 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,940 at the 10th percentile to $100,890 at the 90th percentile — a range of $53,950. The highest-paying state is Louisiana at $100,430.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,940 |
| 25th percentile | $57,330 |
| Median (50th) | $68,730 |
| 75th percentile | $82,980 |
| 90th percentile | $100,890 |
Automotive Engineering Technician Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisianatop | $100,430 |
| New Mexico | $87,800 |
| Indiana | $83,200 |
| California | $82,210 |
| Colorado | $81,700 |
| Rhode Island | $81,400 |
| Missouri | $81,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Nebraska | $77,900 |
| District of Columbia | $77,270 |
| Maryland | $76,890 |
| New York | $75,680 |
| Maine | $75,150 |
| Texas | $74,330 |
| Illinois | $74,010 |
| Washington | $73,980 |
| Oregon | $73,690 |
| Minnesota | $72,800 |
| New Jersey | $71,230 |
| Mississippi | $70,300 |
| North Dakota | $69,680 |
| Tennessee | $68,640 |
| Arizona | $68,280 |
| New Hampshire | $67,890 |
| Kentucky | $67,780 |
| Idaho | $67,600 |
| Ohio | $67,510 |
| Massachusetts | $66,950 |
| Iowa | $66,160 |
| Wisconsin | $66,150 |
| Georgia | $66,100 |
| Delaware | $65,800 |
| Nevada | $64,960 |
| Florida | $64,810 |
| South Carolina | $64,010 |
| Virginia | $63,860 |
| Michigan | $63,130 |
| Oklahoma | $63,090 |
| North Carolina | $62,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,550 |
| Alabama | $61,220 |
| West Virginia | $61,040 |
| Utah | $60,830 |
| Kansas | $59,540 |
| South Dakota | $51,480 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Automotive Engineering Technicians
Automotive Engineering Technician Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,940 – $57,330 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$68,730 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$82,980 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $100,890+ |
How to Earn More as an Automotive Engineering Technician
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Automotive Engineering Technicians in Baton Rouge, LA earn $130,220 — $61,490 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($82,980) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Automotive Engineering Technician Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Automotive Engineering Technicianthis career | $68,730 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,830 |
| Electronics Engineer | $127,590 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,140 |
| Validation Engineer | $101,140 |
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SOC: 17-3027.01 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.