Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in New Mexico

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.

NM Median Salary
$47,040/yr
-5% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
NM Employment
4,970
Automotive Mechanics employed
NM Sponsors
0
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 New Mexico: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in New Mexico 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.

New Mexico pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in New Mexico are $47,040/year, -5% below the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

New Mexico has 0 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 — New Mexico-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

New Mexico Wage Spread

Annual wages for Automotive Mechanics in New Mexico across all experience levels.

10th pct
$30,120
Median
$47,040
90th pct
$77,900
Middle 50% of workers earn $36,320$62,260

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in New Mexico

No automotive mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for New Mexico. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't included in the national directory. 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 New Mexico

Our directory doesn't surface Automotive Mechanic-specific registered sponsors in New Mexico. This usually reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors use generic company names rather than trade-specific branding — it doesn't mean programs don't exist. Direct search on apprenticeship.gov is the most reliable way to find current openings.

Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in New Mexico

Our directory doesn't list Automotive Mechanic-specific sponsors in New Mexico. This typically reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors operate under generic company names rather than trade-specific branding. Nearby states often accept out-of-state apprentices — and apprenticeship.gov can identify current openings by occupation code and ZIP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Automotive Mechanics earn in New Mexico?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in New Mexico is $47,040 as of May 2024. Wages range from $30,120 at the 10th percentile to $77,900 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship program?
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 New Mexico?
We don't have Automotive Mechanic-identified sponsors listed in New Mexico, but that doesn't mean programs don't exist — small regional contractors often aren't identifiable by name. Start with apprenticeship.gov's job finder (filter by occupation and ZIP), then contact nearby-state IUEC/IBEW/UA/SMART locals if nothing shows up locally.
Do Automotive Mechanic apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In New Mexico, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $23,520/yr (roughly half the $47,040 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 New Mexico-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in New Mexico

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