Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Minnesota

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.

MN Median Salary
$57,470/yr
+16% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
MN Employment
13,500
Automotive Mechanics employed
MN Sponsors
1
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 Minnesota: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Minnesota 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.

Minnesota pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Minnesota are $57,470/year, +16% above the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Minnesota has 1 registered apprenticeship sponsor 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 — Minnesota-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Minnesota Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$37,560
Median
$57,470
90th pct
$80,290
Middle 50% of workers earn $44,570$68,830

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Minnesota

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

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

Organization City County
Sugar Loaf Ford, Inc. Winona
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Minnesota

Minnesota has only 1 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 Minnesota?
Automotive Mechanics in Minnesota earn a median salary of $57,470/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $49,670 for the trade.
How long is an Automotive Mechanic 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.
What's the difference between an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship and trade school?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Automotive Mechanics, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Where can I apply for an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Minnesota?
Our directory surfaces 1 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsor in Minnesota. 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?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $28,735/yr in Minnesota). 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 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs in Minnesota →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Minnesota

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