Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship
Automotive mechanics diagnose and repair cars, SUVs, and light trucks — engines, brakes, transmissions, electrical systems, and the computer controls that tie it all together. Work happens in dealership service bays, independent repair shops, or fleet maintenance garages.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Automotive Mechanics across all experience levels, nationwide.
Automotive Mechanic Wages by State
Median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71,030 | 270 |
| California | $63,370 | 62,110 |
| Alaska | $61,950 | 1,390 |
| Colorado | $59,340 | 11,960 |
| New Hampshire | $58,460 | 4,510 |
| Washington | $57,790 | 13,740 |
| Maryland | $57,560 | 14,310 |
| Massachusetts | $57,470 | 12,390 |
| Minnesota | $57,470 | 13,500 |
| New Jersey | $57,290 | 16,820 |
| Montana | $57,060 | 2,720 |
| Oregon | $56,720 | 6,900 |
| Virginia | $56,320 | 17,740 |
| Connecticut | $56,220 | 6,630 |
| New York | $51,650 | 31,790 |
| North Dakota | $51,400 | 1,850 |
| Wisconsin | $50,990 | 11,710 |
| Rhode Island | $50,690 | 2,390 |
| Hawaii | $50,560 | 2,950 |
| Illinois | $50,450 | 26,710 |
| Delaware | $50,350 | 1,840 |
| Vermont | $50,010 | 1,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,790 | 29,020 |
| Arizona | $49,400 | 17,390 |
| Maine | $49,390 | 3,230 |
| Michigan | $48,840 | 20,650 |
| Nebraska | $48,810 | 4,530 |
| Georgia | $48,800 | 24,000 |
| Texas | $48,660 | 67,060 |
| North Carolina | $48,530 | 25,260 |
| Florida | $48,520 | 46,090 |
| South Dakota | $48,410 | 2,190 |
| Iowa | $48,400 | 8,060 |
| Nevada | $47,570 | 7,400 |
| Indiana | $47,550 | 15,610 |
| Tennessee | $47,460 | 16,390 |
| Idaho | $47,420 | 5,160 |
| New Mexico | $47,040 | 4,970 |
| Kansas | $47,010 | 6,380 |
| Ohio | $47,010 | 22,950 |
| Utah | $46,990 | 8,910 |
| Missouri | $46,710 | 16,810 |
| Louisiana | $46,020 | 8,050 |
| South Carolina | $45,950 | 13,950 |
| Wyoming | $45,860 | 1,500 |
| Alabama | $45,710 | 9,920 |
| Arkansas | $43,830 | 6,280 |
| Oklahoma | $41,720 | 9,390 |
| Kentucky | $39,940 | 10,910 |
| Mississippi | $38,070 | 6,410 |
| West Virginia | $36,320 | 4,450 |
Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Overview
At $49,670/yr median, the Automotive Mechanic trade combines strong wages with a proven apprenticeship pathway — 4 years of paid on-the-job training with no tuition cost. The model hasn't changed because it works.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% employment growth for Automotive Mechanics through 2034, with approximately 70,000 positions opening annually through both expansion and replacement of retiring workers.
The wage range for Automotive Mechanics runs from $33,660 (entry-level markets) to $80,850 (experienced workers in top-paying states). Location, union membership, and specialization all push wages higher.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. Automotive Mechanics also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
Or jump straight to a specific school: