Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Kentucky

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.

KY Median Salary
$39,940/yr
-20% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
KY Employment
10,910
Automotive Mechanics employed
KY Sponsors
8
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 Kentucky: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Kentucky 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.

Kentucky pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Kentucky are $39,940/year, -20% below the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Kentucky has 8 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 — Kentucky-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Kentucky Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$28,070
Median
$39,940
90th pct
$68,830
Middle 50% of workers earn $32,510$58,400

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Kentucky

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

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

Organization City County
Cannon Automotive Solutions Bowling Green Warren County
Stuart Powell Ford Danville Boyle County
KY Auto Service, Inc. Elsmere
Northside Family RV Group Lexington
Automotive Apprenticeship Group Louisville Jefferson County
Peterson Automotive Collection Louisville Jefferson County
D&D Motors Russell Springs
Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems Inc. Russell Springs Russell County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Kentucky

The 8 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Kentucky mean apprenticeship programs exist but aren't abundant. Building relationships with local contractors and trade unions is often more effective than waiting for formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Automotive Mechanics make in Kentucky?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Kentucky is $39,940 as of May 2024. Wages range from $28,070 at the 10th percentile to $68,830 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become an Automotive Mechanic through apprenticeship?
Most Automotive Mechanic apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
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.
How do I find an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Kentucky?
Our directory surfaces 8 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Kentucky. 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.
How much do Automotive Mechanic apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Kentucky, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $19,970/yr (roughly half the $39,940 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 Kentucky →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Kentucky

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