Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Missouri

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.

MO Median Salary
$46,710/yr
-6% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
MO Employment
16,810
Automotive Mechanics employed
MO Sponsors
35
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 Missouri: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Missouri 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.

Missouri pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Missouri are $46,710/year, -6% below the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Missouri has 35 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 — Missouri-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Missouri Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$33,000
Median
$46,710
90th pct
$75,750
Middle 50% of workers earn $37,290$60,960

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Missouri

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

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

Organization City County
Bill Grant Ford Bolivar
Westside Automotive Bolivar
Advantage Automotive Dexter
Lou Fusz Automotive Network Earth City
360º Auto Service Joplin
Discount Tire Co. Joplin
Frank Fletcher Ford Joplin
Kevin's Auto Repair Joplin
Paul Myers Auto LLC Joplin
Roper Body Shop Joplin
Steve's Frame and Body Shop of Joplin Joplin
Torq'd Performance & Repair Joplin
Dobb's Tire & Auto Lake St. Louis
LMV Automotive Systems/Magna Liberty
Motorcycles & More Marthasville
Moberly Motors Company Moberly
Jim Trenary FORD Moscow Mills
Henniges Automotive New Haven
Clement Ford O'Fallon
Lou Fusz Suburu O'Fallon
Blackford Auto, LLC Oronogo
Turnbo Auto Repair Owensville
COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE Springfield Greene County
ADVANCED CAR CARE CENTER Strafford Greene County
Gerry Counts Auto Body & Service Sullivan
+ 10 more sponsors in Missouri
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Missouri

Program availability in Missouri is moderate: 35 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 Missouri?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Missouri is $46,710 as of May 2024. Wages range from $33,000 at the 10th percentile to $75,750 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship program?
The standard Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Automotive Mechanics?
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 Missouri?
Our directory surfaces 35 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Missouri. 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 $23,355/yr in Missouri). 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 Missouri →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Missouri

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