How Much Do Automotive Mechanics Make?
National median $49,670/yr ($23.88/hr)
The median automotive mechanic in the United States earned $49,670 a year, or $23.88 an hour, as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is the middle of the pack. The lowest-paid 10 percent, mostly lube, tire, and entry-level techs, made under $33,660, while the top 10 percent brought home more than $80,850.
Pay climbs fast once you build skill and certifications. What pushes it up: ASE certification and Master Technician status, moving from an independent shop to a dealership or fleet, and specializing in diesel, EV and high-voltage systems, transmissions, or diagnostics. Where you work matters too. High-cost states like the District of Columbia, Alaska, and California, and metros like Seattle, San Jose, and Boston, pay several thousand dollars above the national median.
How you get paid also drives the number. Many shops run a flat-rate, or flag-hour, system, so fast and skilled techs who flag more hours than they clock can out-earn the median by a wide margin. Overtime, per-cert bonuses, and per-diem on traveling fleet work all stack on top.
Pay by experience
Highest-paying paths
Higher BLS median, near $60,000 as of May 2024, and more with fleet overtime.
Glassdoor puts the average EV technician near $64,500, roughly a 30 percent premium over the auto median.
Flagging 60 to 80 hours a week with brand certifications can push $80,000 to $100,000.
Transit, municipal, and utility fleets pay steady scale plus benefits and overtime, not flat-rate risk.
DC $61,090, Alaska $60,640, and California $58,980 lead the states; Seattle, San Jose, and Boston lead the metros.
Shops often add $500 to $2,000 per active ASE cert on top of hourly or flat-rate pay.
How to earn more
- Get ASE certified and work toward ASE Master and the L1 advanced-level diagnostics cert. Certified techs earn more and often collect per-cert bonuses.
- Specialize where the money is: diesel and heavy truck, EV and high-voltage systems, transmissions, or drivability and diagnostics.
- Move to a dealership or high-volume shop and master the flat-rate system so you flag more hours than you clock.
- Take a fleet, government, or union job for steady scale, benefits, and overtime instead of flat-rate swings.
- Relocate to a high-paying state or metro, or chase traveling fleet and field work that pays per-diem on top of wages.
- Add manufacturer factory certifications and step up to shop foreman or service manager.
See who's hiring
Browse Mechanic jobs with pay shown upfront, or read the full Mechanic career guide.
Mechanic pay: common questions
How much do automotive mechanics make?
The median was $49,670 a year, about $23.88 an hour, as of May 2024 (BLS). Most techs earn between roughly $33,660 and $80,850 depending on skill, certifications, and where they work.
Do mechanics make good money?
It is solid skilled-trade pay with no college debt required. Entry pay is modest, but the top 10 percent clear $80,850, and master, diesel, and EV techs earn more. Flat-rate producers can out-earn the median by a wide margin.
What is the highest-paying mechanic job?
Diesel and heavy-truck techs, EV and high-voltage specialists, dealership flat-rate top producers, and fleet or union techs sit at the top, along with shop foremen and service managers.
What does an auto mechanic make per hour?
The median is $23.88 an hour (BLS, May 2024). Pay typically runs from about $16 an hour for entry lube techs to $39 an hour or more for master and specialty techs.
Can you make $100,000 as a mechanic?
Yes, but it is not the norm. Six figures usually comes from top flat-rate production at a busy dealership, master-level diesel or EV work, traveling fleet jobs with per-diem, or moving into service manager or shop owner roles.