Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Delaware

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.

DE Median Salary
$50,350/yr
+1% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
DE Employment
1,840
Automotive Mechanics employed
DE Sponsors
4
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 Delaware: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Delaware 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.

Delaware pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Delaware are $50,350/year, +1% above the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Delaware has 4 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 — Delaware-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Delaware Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$33,890
Median
$50,350
90th pct
$80,690
Middle 50% of workers earn $39,630$63,520

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Delaware

No automotive mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Delaware. 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 Delaware

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

Organization City County
Winner Automotive Group Dover Kent County
Cooks Tire & Auto Repair Harrington Kent County
Price Auto Group Newark New Castle County
Delaware Cadillac Wilmington New Castle County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Delaware

With 4 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, Delaware's Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship landscape is limited. Candidates should also consider nearby states or contact national union offices for referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Automotive Mechanic salary in Delaware?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Delaware is $50,350 as of May 2024. Wages range from $33,890 at the 10th percentile to $80,690 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become an Automotive Mechanic through 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.
What's the difference between an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship and trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 4 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6–24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
Where can I apply for an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Delaware?
Our directory surfaces 4 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Delaware. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
Do Automotive Mechanic apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Delaware, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $25,175/yr (roughly half the $50,350 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year 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 Delaware-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Delaware

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