Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

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.

RI Median Salary
$50,690/yr
+2% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
RI Employment
2,390
Automotive Mechanics employed
RI 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 Rhode Island: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Rhode Island are $50,690/year, +2% above the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Rhode Island 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 — Rhode Island-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Rhode Island Wage Spread

Annual wages for Automotive Mechanics in Rhode Island across all experience levels.

10th pct
$30,990
Median
$50,690
90th pct
$81,810
Middle 50% of workers earn $35,970$63,730

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Rhode Island

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

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

Organization City County
Gingers Service Station Inc Westerly Washington County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

The 1 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsor in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Automotive Mechanics in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $50,690/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $49,670 for the trade.
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.
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.
How do I find an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Rhode Island?
Our directory surfaces 1 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsor in Rhode Island. 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 $25,345/yr in Rhode Island). 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 Rhode Island →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Rhode Island

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