Automotive service technicians and mechanics
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 803,000 jobs in 2004. The majority worked for automotive repair and maintenance shops, automobile dealers, and retailers and wholesalers of automotive parts, accessories, and supplies. Others found employment in gasoline stations; home and auto supply stores; automotive equipment rental and leasing companies; Federal, State, and local governments; and other organizations. More than 16 percent of service technicians were self-employed, more than twice the proportion for all installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.
Median hourly earnings of automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, were $15.60 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $11.31 and $20.75 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.70, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $26.22 per hour. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of service technicians in May 2004 were as follows:
| Local government | $38,160 |
| Automobile dealers | 38,060 |
| Automotive repair and maintenance | 28,810 |
| Gasoline stations | 28,030 |
| Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores | 27,180 |
Many experienced technicians employed by automobile dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer. Under this method, weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed. Employers frequently guarantee commissioned technicians a minimum weekly salary.
Some automotive service technicians are members of labor unions such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association; and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting employment: 50 mean earnings: $24,050 (def) (IG) | $12,960 | $18,950 | $24,020 | $29,210 | $34,730 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry employment: 30 mean earnings: $25,790 | $19,690 | $21,600 | $25,150 | $30,140 | $33,870 |
| Mining employment: 260 mean earnings: $34,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $19,770 | $25,180 | $33,640 | $42,340 | $54,170 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 210 mean earnings: $31,630 | $19,060 | $23,630 | $30,980 | $38,810 | $44,260 |
| Utilities employment: 2,700 mean earnings: $46,780 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,960 | $37,600 | $47,900 | $55,800 | $66,050 |
| Utilities employment: 2,700 mean earnings: $46,780 | $27,960 | $37,600 | $47,900 | $55,800 | $66,050 |
| Construction employment: 2,600 mean earnings: $35,320 (EC) (def) (IG) | $19,100 | $26,090 | $34,470 | $43,400 | $53,220 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 300 mean earnings: $37,210 | $22,040 | $29,530 | $37,540 | $44,770 | $52,870 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 1,540 mean earnings: $35,720 | $20,540 | $26,470 | $34,090 | $43,510 | $53,760 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 760 mean earnings: $33,770 | $13,880 | $24,170 | $33,910 | $42,610 | $52,140 |
| Manufacturing employment: 4,730 mean earnings: $39,340 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,170 | $26,750 | $36,780 | $51,730 | $62,810 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 200 mean earnings: $33,820 | $20,820 | $26,050 | $33,770 | $41,310 | $46,290 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 60 mean earnings: $40,020 | $25,640 | $32,050 | $39,790 | $48,240 | $55,200 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $45,710 | $24,140 | $36,840 | $47,030 | $56,540 | $65,840 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 210 mean earnings: $46,130 | $27,700 | $37,210 | $45,410 | $55,250 | $66,180 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 380 mean earnings: $36,010 | $20,210 | $26,840 | $34,190 | $45,940 | $54,740 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 140 mean earnings: $37,660 | $21,060 | $29,410 | $37,360 | $44,690 | $54,500 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 70 mean earnings: $43,840 | $25,270 | $37,280 | $44,650 | $53,490 | $59,110 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 330 mean earnings: $34,700 | $20,130 | $26,120 | $33,580 | $43,510 | $52,500 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 140 mean earnings: $49,470 | $28,640 | $39,560 | $51,010 | $61,700 | $68,670 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 2,990 mean earnings: $39,680 | $19,510 | $25,590 | $35,990 | $53,690 | $65,530 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $35,350 | $21,110 | $25,550 | $32,320 | $45,720 | $55,500 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 15,520 mean earnings: $32,940 (EC) (def) (IG) | $18,640 | $23,690 | $31,520 | $40,500 | $49,800 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 13,160 mean earnings: $33,170 | $18,800 | $24,000 | $31,860 | $40,790 | $50,000 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 810 mean earnings: $28,420 | $16,130 | $19,120 | $25,970 | $35,170 | $46,650 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 1,560 mean earnings: $33,320 | $19,470 | $23,830 | $31,250 | $39,800 | $49,840 |
| Retail Trade employment: 327,170 mean earnings: $36,730 (EC) (def) (IG) | $18,690 | $24,530 | $34,420 | $45,360 | $57,260 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 281,630 mean earnings: $38,260 | $20,110 | $26,580 | $36,090 | $46,680 | $58,390 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: n.a. mean earnings: $32,230 | $15,510 | $17,210 | $25,050 | $36,530 | $74,360 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 460 mean earnings: $35,140 | $21,040 | $25,210 | $30,030 | $35,830 | $52,940 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 520 mean earnings: $28,240 | $18,130 | $21,600 | $27,280 | $33,390 | $40,710 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 180 mean earnings: $39,820 | $29,890 | $34,570 | $39,790 | $44,070 | $50,510 |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 25,880 mean earnings: $31,160 | $16,600 | $20,890 | $27,950 | $38,380 | $52,060 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 50 mean earnings: $27,330 | $18,310 | $19,840 | $22,510 | $33,370 | $43,600 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 770 mean earnings: $34,650 | $18,920 | $23,870 | $33,710 | $43,390 | $53,350 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 13,590 mean earnings: $36,940 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,240 | $26,560 | $37,110 | $47,180 | $53,700 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 3,290 mean earnings: $31,800 | $19,120 | $23,810 | $29,760 | $38,460 | $46,420 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 2,300 mean earnings: $30,980 | $18,910 | $22,130 | $29,430 | $37,090 | $46,220 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $39,600 | $26,210 | $32,000 | $40,000 | $47,610 | $54,060 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 2,900 mean earnings: $31,830 | $18,180 | $23,290 | $30,960 | $39,390 | $45,310 |
| Postal Service employment: 3,730 mean earnings: $47,390 | $38,500 | $43,770 | $48,410 | $52,550 | $55,030 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 740 mean earnings: $45,620 | $27,390 | $37,540 | $47,950 | $54,160 | $58,210 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 480 mean earnings: $35,990 | $19,740 | $26,390 | $37,080 | $44,260 | $52,640 |
| Information employment: 1,100 mean earnings: $48,100 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,840 | $41,460 | $51,130 | $56,840 | $62,960 |
| Telecommunications employment: 1,040 mean earnings: $48,330 | $26,300 | $42,150 | $51,400 | $57,000 | $63,270 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 210 mean earnings: $40,210 (EC) (def) (IG) | $23,230 | $30,190 | $39,260 | $47,860 | $57,580 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: n.a. mean earnings: $37,910 | $20,280 | $28,380 | $37,660 | $46,010 | $56,640 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 40 mean earnings: $40,970 | $25,190 | $29,790 | $40,340 | $46,480 | $59,070 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 8,070 mean earnings: $35,300 (EC) (def) (IG) | $19,900 | $25,300 | $33,490 | $43,690 | $53,890 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 7,700 mean earnings: $34,840 | $19,770 | $25,060 | $33,190 | $43,310 | $53,080 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 2,400 mean earnings: $43,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $24,870 | $31,070 | $42,110 | $54,090 | $64,830 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 2,400 mean earnings: $43,280 | $24,870 | $31,070 | $42,110 | $54,090 | $64,830 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 760 mean earnings: $39,000 (EC) (def) (IG) | $23,210 | $30,030 | $37,940 | $46,920 | $56,580 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 760 mean earnings: $39,000 | $23,210 | $30,030 | $37,940 | $46,920 | $56,580 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 8,480 mean earnings: $37,250 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,350 | $26,890 | $35,580 | $45,310 | $56,310 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 7,870 mean earnings: $37,230 | $20,260 | $26,820 | $35,600 | $45,290 | $56,240 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 610 mean earnings: $37,620 | $22,250 | $27,530 | $35,270 | $45,610 | $57,260 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,740 mean earnings: $38,380 (EC) (def) (IG) | $23,510 | $29,790 | $37,810 | $45,750 | $55,620 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,740 mean earnings: $38,380 | $23,510 | $29,790 | $37,810 | $45,750 | $55,620 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 1,330 mean earnings: $34,710 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,350 | $26,450 | $34,980 | $42,110 | $47,050 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 520 mean earnings: $34,960 | $23,150 | $27,040 | $34,410 | $41,750 | $48,510 |
| Hospitals employment: 340 mean earnings: $36,300 | $25,180 | $30,150 | $36,400 | $42,570 | $46,760 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 40 mean earnings: $29,800 | $20,300 | $24,840 | $29,280 | $34,790 | $41,090 |
| Social Assistance employment: 430 mean earnings: $33,540 | $19,530 | $22,070 | $35,130 | $42,470 | $46,360 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 2,730 mean earnings: $48,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,380 | $32,530 | $44,340 | $61,400 | $78,860 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 2,430 mean earnings: $49,740 | $20,970 | $33,610 | $46,430 | $64,020 | $81,460 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 290 mean earnings: $36,470 | $23,810 | $29,230 | $36,820 | $43,520 | $51,230 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 310 mean earnings: $35,610 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,810 | $26,480 | $36,760 | $43,040 | $48,610 |
| Accommodation employment: 230 mean earnings: $34,670 | $19,860 | $24,980 | $33,330 | $42,570 | $51,910 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: n.a. mean earnings: $38,250 | $28,950 | $36,760 | $40,220 | $43,520 | $45,600 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 230,820 mean earnings: $31,660 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,400 | $22,480 | $29,790 | $39,030 | $48,920 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 230,540 mean earnings: $31,650 | $17,400 | $22,480 | $29,790 | $39,030 | $48,910 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 200 mean earnings: $34,640 | $22,770 | $28,960 | $33,400 | $41,000 | $50,400 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 80 mean earnings: $34,890 | $17,170 | $21,740 | $28,430 | $40,680 | $68,660 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 29,240 mean earnings: $40,040 (def) (IG) | $25,710 | $31,830 | $39,260 | $46,720 | $56,130 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 29,240 mean earnings: $40,040 | $25,710 | $31,830 | $39,260 | $46,720 | $56,130 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.