Auto Mechanic Salary
Congratulations on deciding to become an auto mechanic. The average auto mechanic salary depends on his or her training, expertise, and location. For the most part, an auto technician is paid hourly, so that means that for one week you may make some decent money but for the next week you may make only half of that amount. But remember that it all averages out at the end. So now you are wondering about how much you will be getting paid.
So what is the Average Auto Mechanic Salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of May 2010):
- the average wage is $18.36, which equates to a mean annual wage of $38,200.
- about 50% of mechanics earn between $12.65 and $22.73
- the bottom ten percent earns only $9.71 (those on the lower end are usually just starting out as mechanics and in a locale with a cheaper living standard).
- the top ten percent earns on $28.65.
Click here to learn more about salary for your about your specific state.
Different Factors Contributing to an Automotive Technician Salary
As with any other careers, the more experience you have the more you will earn. Entry-level mechanics’s salary with 0-2 year of experience is about $34,132. They usually have some basic knowledge of car repair but will need to work under immediate supervision. Those with 2-5 year of experiences can expect to earn $43,572 but may need to finish a formal apprenticeship or some sort of training. You will probably be able to complete most repairs on your own. Those with five years of more of experience will typically earn $51,555. They usually have some sort formal training, will usually perform most diagnosis tests, and be in charge of works by others.
More experienced technicians that are working for car dealerships and independent repair shops can also receive a commission based on the labor cost to a customer. They earn their commission by finishing in less time than the billable hours for the customer. It is to note that actual work time is less than billable hours. These technicians are also often guaranteed a minimum salary. Some employers also offer health and retirements packages but vary differently depending on where you work. Jobs that offer these benefits are usually in the government industries and in the courier industry.
The industry in which you work in can also determine your salary. For example, automotive mechanics in the courier and express delivery industry and those working for the government have an average hourly of $29.47, while those working at gasoline stations will only earn an hour of $16.33. But for most people, they will be working at a private car shop that usually pays $16.92. Where you live will also have a big factor. The highest paying states are Alaska at $23.65, District of Columbia at $22.68, Maryland at $20.83, Connecticut at$20.78, and Massachusetts at $20.73.
You will also be able to commend a higher hourly rate if you choose to be an expert in larger vehicles or more specialized ones vs. generalizing. You can also choose to specialize in specific brand of cars such as BMVS, as specialists you are able to fix problems specific to that brand that most other people will not have encountered before.
Although you do start of at a pretty low salary but once you gain some experience on hand, you’ll be able to earn a higher salary as an auto mechanic. Good luck on your career.