Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Wisconsin

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.

WI Median Salary
$50,990/yr
+3% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
WI Employment
11,710
Automotive Mechanics employed
WI Sponsors
14
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 Wisconsin: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered automotive mechanic apprenticeship in Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin pay vs. national

Median automotive mechanic wages in Wisconsin are $50,990/year, +3% above the national median of $49,670. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Wisconsin has 14 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 — Wisconsin-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Wisconsin Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$36,540
Median
$50,990
90th pct
$78,750
Middle 50% of workers earn $43,190$63,800

Current Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Wisconsin

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

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

Organization City County
Bergstrom Ford of Green Bay Green Bay
Timber Ford of Hayward, Inc. Hayward
La Crosse Truck Center Ford La Crosse
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Menomonee Falls Waukesha County
Charter Automotive/WIre Milwaukee Milwaukee County
Link Ford & RV - Minong LLC Minong
Link Ford & RV - Minong, LLC Minong
Johnson Ford of New Richmond New Richmond,
Osseo Ford Sales & Service, Inc Osseo
Osseo Ford Sales & Service, Inc. Osseo
Link Ford and RV-Rice Lake LLC Rice Lake
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Tomahawk
Klein Ford, Inc. Winneconne
Sugar Loaf Ford Winona
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Automotive Mechanic openings

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

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Wisconsin

Apprenticeship seekers in Wisconsin can contact any of 14 trade-specific sponsors our directory surfaces. Coverage is reasonable in urban centers, thinner in rural regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Automotive Mechanic salary in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage for Automotive Mechanics in Wisconsin is $50,990 as of May 2024. Wages range from $36,540 at the 10th percentile to $78,750 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?
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.
How do I find an Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Wisconsin?
Contact one of the 14 Automotive Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in Wisconsin (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?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $25,495/yr in Wisconsin). 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 Wisconsin →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Wisconsin

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