Pay and Compensation Outlook for Automotive Technicians

By: Jason Hesse - written: April 16, 2014

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $36,610 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The top 10 percent earned more than $60,070.

In May 2012, the median annual wages for automotive service technicians in the top five industries employing these technicians were as follows:

Many experienced technicians working for automobile dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer. Under this system, weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed. Some repair shops may pay technicians a fixed rate on an hourly basis instead.

Most service technicians work full time, and many work evenings or weekends. Overtime opportunities are common as well.

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics