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Auto technician pay

How much does an automotive technician make?

The short answer

Auto techs in the US earn a median of $24.34 an hour, about $50,620 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn $18.70 to $33.86 an hour. On 259 automotive technician jobs posted with pay on Tire Careers in the last 30 days, shops offered a median of $30.05 an hour.

Updated

Automotive technician pay by percentile

The government survey counts 704,640 automotive service technicians and mechanics in the US. Half earn more than the median and half earn less.

BLS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, May 2025
PercentileHourlyYearly (full time)
10th$16.66$34,660
25th$18.70$38,900
Median$24.34$50,620
75th$33.86$70,430
90th$39.32$81,790

What shops are posting right now

This is the pay shops put on automotive technician jobs listed on Tire Careers in the last 30 days. We count each employer and pay range once, and we take the middle of each posted range. Yearly pay becomes hourly when we divide it by 2,080. We show it once at least 30 postings list pay.

RoleMedian hourlyMiddle halfPostings
Automotive technician$30.05$25.37 to $37.50259

How the pay compares

Here is the same survey for three shop jobs. Many techs start on tires or oil changes and move up from there.

BLS OEWS, May 2025, median pay
JobMedian hourlyMedian yearly
Tire technicians$18.13$37,710
Auto technicians and mechanics$24.34$50,620
Diesel technicians$29.70$61,770

What raises the pay

  • ASE certification. Pass the eight car tests (A1 to A8) and have the work experience ASE asks for, and you become an ASE Master Automobile Technician.
  • Diagnosis. The more electrical and drivability problems you can find on your own, the more work a shop can give you.
  • Flat rate speed. Many shops pay flat rate. You get the book hours for a job, no matter how long it takes. Fast, careful techs earn more.
  • Hybrid and electric cars. ASE has a test for hybrid and electric car work. It shows a shop you can work on them safely.
  • Your own tools. Many repair jobs ask you to bring your own hand tools. A full set lets you take more of those jobs.

Where the job can lead

The Tire Industry Association career ladder has the automotive technician moving up to service advisor, then service manager. Many techs also become a lead tech or shop foreman.

Looking for work, or hiring?

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Common questions

How much does an automotive technician make an hour?

The median automotive technician in the US earns $24.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18.70 and $33.86. The top 10% earn more than $39.32.

How much does an auto mechanic make a year?

About $50,620 a year at the median, working full time. The lowest 10% earn under $34,660 and the top 10% earn over $81,790.

Is an auto mechanic the same as an automotive technician?

Yes. Most shops use both names for the same job. The BLS counts them as one job: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (SOC 49-3023).

What is flat rate pay?

Flat rate means you are paid the book time for each job. Say the book gives a job two hours. Finish in an hour and a half and you still get paid for two. Take three hours and you still get paid for two. Ask a shop how many hours its techs flag in a normal week.

Where do these numbers come from?

The survey figures come from the May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The job there is Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (SOC 49-3023). The posted pay figures come from Tire Careers jobs from the last 30 days that state their pay. We count each employer and pay range once. To get hourly pay, we divide yearly pay by 2,080 hours.

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