Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Alabama

Wages, programs & career outlook

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.

AL Median Salary
$45,710/yr
-8% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
AL Employment
9,920
Automotive Mechanics employed
AL Sponsors
3
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
4.2%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
70,000
Nationally, per yr

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Alabama: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Alabama combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Alabama pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Alabama are $45,710/year, -8% below the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Alabama has 3 registered apprenticeship sponsors for automotive mechanic listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% job growth for automotive mechanics nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 70,000 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Alabama-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Alabama Wage Spread

Annual wages for Automotive Mechanics in Alabama across all experience levels.

10th pct
$30,810
Median
$45,710
90th pct
$77,410
Middle 50% of workers earn $36,330$60,490

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Alabama

No automotive mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Alabama. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Sponsors in Alabama

3 automotive mechanic-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Alabama. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current automotive mechanic apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
Long-Lewis Ford of Cullman Cullman
RESRG Automotive Cullman Cullman County
Long Lewis Ford Muscle Shoals
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

Filter by occupation code 49-3023 and state AL for the most relevant results.

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Alabama

Alabama has only 3 Automotive Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in our directory — program slots may be competitive and early applications give the best shot at placement. Direct outreach to union halls in the state's largest cities often matters more than formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Automotive Mechanic salary in Alabama?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Alabama is $45,710 as of May 2024. Wages range from $30,810 at the 10th percentile to $77,410 at the 90th percentile.
How long is an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship?
A typical Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship lasts approximately 4 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
Should I do an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Automotive Mechanics combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Where can I apply for an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Alabama?
Contact one of the 3 Automotive Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in Alabama (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Automotive Mechanic apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $22,855/yr in Alabama). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Automotive Mechanics also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 337 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationwide →
Too few Alabama-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Alabama

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.