Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Washington

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.

WA Median Salary
$57,790/yr
+16% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
WA Employment
13,740
Automotive Mechanics employed
WA 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 Washington: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Washington 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.

Washington pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Washington are $57,790/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

Washington 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 — Washington-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Washington Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$38,530
Median
$57,790
90th pct
$86,990
Middle 50% of workers earn $46,240$75,360

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Washington

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

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

Organization City County
Walla Walla Community College - Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Automotive Technician Connell
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Washington

The 1 Automotive Mechanic-related registered sponsor in Washington 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

What do Automotive Mechanics earn in Washington?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Washington is $57,790 as of May 2024. Wages range from $38,530 at the 10th percentile to $86,990 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become an Automotive Mechanic through apprenticeship?
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.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Automotive Mechanics?
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.
Where can I apply for an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Washington?
Contact one of the 1 Automotive Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsor in Washington (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Automotive Mechanic apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Washington, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $28,895/yr (roughly half the $57,790 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 Washington →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Washington

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