Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Iowa

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.

IA Median Salary
$48,400/yr
-3% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
IA Employment
8,060
Automotive Mechanics employed
IA Sponsors
12
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 Iowa: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Iowa 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.

Iowa pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Iowa are $48,400/year, -3% below the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Iowa has 12 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 — Iowa-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Iowa Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$35,390
Median
$48,400
90th pct
$78,410
Middle 50% of workers earn $38,160$63,070

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Iowa

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

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

Organization City County
Duck Creek Tire & Service Bettendorf
Dahl Ford Davenport Davenport
Bascom Truck and Auto Inc Des Moines
Junge Lincoln, Inc. Hiawatha
HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE JATC LU 444 Keokuk Lee County
Junge Ford North Liberty North Liberty
Deery Brothers Cheverolet Pleasant Hill
Smith Automotive Pleasant Hill
ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY (THE CEU AUTHORITY) Spencer Clay County
O'Rourke Motors, inc. Tipton,
Lithia Motors Inc. DBA Ramsey Subaru Urbandale
Shottenkirk West Burlington West Burlington
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Iowa

Program availability in Iowa is moderate: 12 Automotive Mechanic-related sponsors in our directory. Candidates in major cities will find multiple options; those in smaller markets may need to commute or relocate within the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Automotive Mechanics earn in Iowa?
Automotive Mechanics in Iowa earn a median salary of $48,400/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $49,670 for the trade.
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.
Should I do an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship or go to 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 Iowa?
Contact one of the 12 Automotive Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in Iowa (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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Iowa, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $24,200/yr (roughly half the $48,400 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 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs in Iowa →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Iowa

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