Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in 2026

    SOC: 49-3023.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $49,670
    per year
    Salary Range
    $34K – $81K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    688,840
    employed
    Job Growth
    +4.2%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss Make?

    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss earn a median annual salary of $49,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $33,660 at the 10th percentile to $80,850 at the 90th percentile — a range of $47,190. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $71,030.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$33,660
    25th percentile$38,140
    Median (50th)$49,670
    75th percentile$65,660
    90th percentile$80,850
    10th: $33,660Median: $49,67090th: $80,850
    Section 02

    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    District of Columbiatop$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
    Montana$57,060
    Oregon$56,720
    Virginia$56,320
    Connecticut$56,220
    New York$51,650
    North Dakota$51,400
    Wisconsin$50,990
    Rhode Island$50,690
    Hawaii$50,560
    Illinois$50,450
    Delaware$50,350
    Vermont$50,010
    Pennsylvania$49,790
    Arizona$49,400
    Maine$49,390
    Michigan$48,840
    Nebraska$48,810
    Georgia$48,800
    Texas$48,660
    North Carolina$48,530
    Florida$48,520
    South Dakota$48,410
    Iowa$48,400
    Nevada$47,570
    Indiana$47,550
    Tennessee$47,460
    Idaho$47,420
    New Mexico$47,040
    Kansas$47,010
    Ohio$47,010
    Utah$46,990
    Missouri$46,710
    Louisiana$46,020
    South Carolina$45,950
    Wyoming$45,860
    Alabama$45,710
    Arkansas$43,830
    Oklahoma$41,720
    Kentucky$39,940
    Mississippi$38,070
    West Virginia$36,320
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss

    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    Highest paying
    $77,260
    top metro salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $74,590
    $-2,670 vs highest
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
    $71,360
    $-5,900 vs highest
    District of Columbia
    $71,030
    $-6,230 vs highest
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area
    $68,890
    $-8,370 vs highest
    Napa, CA
    $67,270
    $-9,990 vs highest
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
    $66,170
    $-11,090 vs highest
    Fairbanks-College, AK
    $65,440
    $-11,820 vs highest
    Section 04

    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$33,660 – $38,140
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$49,670
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$65,660
    Senior (15+ yrs)$80,850+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $77,260 — $27,590 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 ($65,660) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicsthis career$49,670
    Automotive Engineer$102,320
    Automotive Engineering Technician$68,730
    Avionics Technician$81,390
    Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairer$53,990

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 49-3023.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.