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How Much Do Car Mechanics Make

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What Is The Future Outlook For Auto Mechanics

How Much Do Auto Mechanics Make Starting Off?

The employment of auto mechanics is projected to remain steady for the next decade. You can attribute this steadiness to the constant increase of new vehicles being put to use. This situation means more mechanics will be needed to perform repair and maintenance tasks on them.

But you do have to watch out for the rise of electric vehicles. Their new technology may cause these vehicles to more be durability and less prone to accidents. The need for auto mechanics to perform repairs would then become less frequent.

Top 50 Highest Paying States For Auto Mechanic Jobs In The Us

Weve identified 11 states where the typical salary for an Auto Mechanic job is above the national average. Topping the list is Hawaii, with Massachusetts and Rhode Island close behind in second and third. Rhode Island beats the national average by 9.0%, and Hawaii furthers that trend with another $5,299 above the $41,122.

Significantly, Hawaii has a very active Auto Mechanic job market as there are several companies currently hiring for this type of role.

With these 11 states paying on average above the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as an Auto Mechanic appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

Can A Mechanic Make 6 Figures

Becoming a professional gearhead is actually not a bad career move, as skilled mechanics can make $40,000 to 50,000 annually. Master mechanics who have some years under their tool belts and have been trained and certified for complicated service and repair procedures are in demand and can command $100,000-and-up wages.

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How Much Do Diesel Mechanics Make

The median diesel mechanic salary is $48,500 per year or $23.32 per hour, according to the BLS. Yearly salaries differed by industry. For example, the median diesel mechanic salary by subsector was:

  • $57,940 at local government agencies
  • $49,940 at wholesale trade companies
  • $46,320 at automotive repair and maintenance shops
  • $44,970 at truck transportation companies

You can look up the average salary for mechanics in your location by using theMonster Salary Guide.

So Why Dont Auto Repair Shops Like To Work With Customers That Bring Their Own Parts

How Much Do Auto Mechanics Make?
  • Time is money: Waiting for the customer to bring parts will slow down the speed of repairs for all customers.
  • Wrong Part: Parts may be incorrect for the problem they diagnose once they start fixing it. Now what to do with that part you bought?
  • Low-Quality Parts: Parts may be of inferior quality and likely to fail.
  • No Warranty: If it fails or breaks, tough luck you supplied it.
  • Bad Customers: Folks that bring their own parts arent usually great customer to keep around. They tend to be cheap, try to haggle, and more likely to be rude
  • Bad Reviews: When parts fail customers are likely to bad mouth the business online or by word of mouth
  • Bottomline: It makes their shop unprofitable

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How Much Does A Mechanic Make In The United States

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average mechanic salary in 2020 was $46,760. Mechanics’ average salary falls under the national average by close to $10,000 a year.

Many people enter this profession because they have a deep passion for cars, a penchant for working with their hands, and a commitment to learning about new technologies in transportation.

Even though the trade pays less than the national average salary, you can move up in your career as a mechanic and earn more.

Increasing Opportunities For Dealerships

In the years to come, we expect that automobile dealerships will be providing the bulk of the jobs for mechanics. Car owners have shown a growing preference for dealerships over independent shops when having their vehicles repaired. One of the driving forces behind this is the rise in the number of leased cars from dealerships.

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Enroll In A Vocational Education Program

Enroll in a training program provided by a community college, vocational school, or private technical school. These programs will award certificates or degrees in automotive service technology.

Finishing one of the shorter programs or diplomas could take less than a year. The longer and more involved ones might take one or two years to complete. It would be a good idea to take classes in English, math, electronics, automotive repair, and computers. Each of these subjects will be very beneficial to your career as a mechanic.

Salary For Independent Contractors

How much money do car mechanics make? (Former mechanic)

As an automotive mechanic, you can work independently as a contractor or small-business owner. This means you buy the parts you need, negotiate your prices with customers, and set your own schedule. You may have to rent space at a shop, own your garage, or operate a purely mobile business.

While independent contractors set their own rates and can control their income by working more or fewer hours, they incur costs, too.

Independent contractors need to cover the costs of:

  • Space rental or mortgage
  • Business insurance and licensing
  • Warranties on your repair work

“If you’re starting your own business, you need to do things the right way with licensing and insurance,” Scott Warriner, ASE-certified auto technician and owner of Kraken Automotive, said.

Warriner began working independently to supplement his income and his hot-rod repair hobby after twenty years in the automotive tech industry. He cautions that small-business owners’ costs accumulate as their business grows. Warriner warned that tools alone could cost over $25,000.

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Have You Ever Looked At Your Auto Repair Bill Or Estimate And Wonder Why The Car Parts Cost So Much

I used to work with auto repair shops, I sold marketing to them. Like Bobs Quality Auto Repair, The Muffler Master, and Johns Discount Brake Shop. All those names I just made up, but they sound 100% real.The reason I bring this up is when having discussions with shop owners wed talk about the markup on car parts from time to time. Theyd tell me about how its becoming more and more of an issue with their customers today than in the past. After all, when you the customer see youre being charged $500 for an ac compressor, you can get a little wide-eyed. Since its now so easy to type car ac compressor into Amazon or Google and find a similar part online for much less. Thats when trouble starts a brewing.

What Do You Have To Do To Become A Mechanic

In Canada, to become a mechanic, you generally have to complete a registered apprenticeship that combines paid hands-on work experience with classroom training at a vocational school. Typically, it takes about four years to learn to be a mechanic. While the process varies somewhat between provinces and territories, these are the general steps:

  • Get hired by an employer who agrees to sponsor you as an apprentice.
  • Register as an apprentice with your provincial trade certification body.
  • Enroll in an approved training program at a trade or vocational school.
  • Log a prescribed number of work hours in your employer’s auto repair shop and complete a designated amount of in-school training.
  • Pass all exams that are required.
  • Receive your Certificate of Qualification or equivalent credential from your province and become a fully qualified journeyman.

Keep in mind that being certified in one province doesn’t necessarily mean you can work as a mechanic in another province. If you want maximum labour mobility, you can choose to take the interprovincial exam. If you pass the exam, you’ll receive your Red Seal endorsement, which allows your credentials to be recognized anywhere in Canada.

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What Do Mechanics Do

When a mechanic comes to mind, most people envision someone in decked out in Dickies gear smeared with grease. While this may be true, there is more than meets the eye. A successful mechanic employs both mechanical and analytical skills when performing inspections, maintenance, and repairs.

Mechanics utilize computerized diagnostic equipment to identify defects and make necessary repairs. They perform routine maintenance such as:

  • oil changes

There are generally three types of mechanics:

  • Automotive technician: Auto techs specializes in repairing, maintaining, and inspecting cars and small trucks.
  • A& P mechanic: An aircraft and powerplant mechanic specializes in working on aircraft such as private jets and commercial airplanes. Most of the work performed by A& P is preventative maintenance.
  • Diesel mechanic: Diesel mechanics possess knowledge of complex diesel engines. They usually specialize in maintaining and repairing commercial motor vehicles, buses, utility vehicles, and construction vehicles.

Do Mechanics Make Commission

How Much Auto Mechanics Make (And Other Facts About The Gig)

Mechanics at a dealership are generally paid flat rate. This is kind of like commission, but is determined by a manual/software that says This job should take 4 hours to complete, so the mechanic is paid for 4 hours regardless of how long it actually takes. This is good if youre quick with your jobs.

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The Duties Of Car Mechanics

Car mechanics typically take on a lot of different duties. It partially depends upon where you work. Some mechanic job locations include working at a general auto service shop, a car dealership, or even being a mobile mechanic.

Duties also depend upon schooling, experience, and the type of work that interests you along with any desire for advancement, according to U.S. Mechanic. Some mechanics work on older vehicles, others on newer models.

Entry-level positions can start with oil changes and tire repairs. This can lead to diagnosing and performing more difficult types of service. The more you learn and the more experiences you have, the more you can control your future.

Mechanic Shop Owner Salary

Based on the many different business models available to garage shop owners, the regions where they are located and the competition in their area, it’s impossible to find accurate national averages for mechanic shop owner salary. However, using salary aggregator websites, you can find up-to-date salary numbers for your area.

For example, in June 2021, ZipRecruiter gave an annual salary for an auto repair owner of $50,690. For an auto repair owner in Marietta, Georgia, at that same time, the average salary was $47,671.

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How Much Is The Markup On Auto Parts

Every auto repair shop charges a markup on the parts they install on your car. So what is the markup on parts? Roughly speaking 100%. For example:

  • Part cost for the shop: $15
  • Price shop charges a customer: $30
  • Retail price for the part: $20

Even if they dont get a discount they are likely still going to charge you a markup on the part. It is not always as simple as 100%.Many shops use a sliding scale based on what the price of the part is, which is fairer. This means a $2 part could cost you $5 with a 250% markup and a $300 dollar part could cost you $330 with a 10% markup. Other factors can come into play like do they use Original Equipment from Manufacturer and what quality of aftermarket parts do they use. Shady shops will charge you based on the most expensive parts, like OEM parts from the dealership, then install the cheapest part they can find. So asking about the quality of parts used versus the what you pay for is wise when working with a new shop.

Brake Job specials: one of the reason shops have deals on brake jobs is the parts are expensive and the time it takes to install is short. With it being such a quick job they advertise specials to get more of these highly profitable jobs.

Pay For Work And Play

How Much Do Beginner Mechanics Make?

Small engine mechanics repair recreational vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, as well as practical vehicles like snowblowers and lawnmowers. They tend to make less than most types of mechanics, reporting an average wage of $18.19 an hour and an average salary of $37,840 a year to the BLS in 2019.

Motorboat mechanics, who repair the engines and electrical systems of small watercraft, made an average hourly wage of $20.89 and an average annual salary of $43,440.

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Salary Changes Throughout The Career Path

When starting as a mechanic, you might need to complete a semester-long internship as part of your associate degree program. Or, if you begin working right after your certificate or diploma program, you may need to start as an apprentice before being promoted to an automotive technician.

The BLS reports that most repair and maintenance helpers like apprentices and interns earn $12 to $19 an hour. That’s an average annual wage of $33,960.

According to salary data from Payscale.com, automotive technicians with less than one year of experience earn average hourly wages of $12.68. That rate climbs for technicians who have worked one to four years, reaching $15.24 an hour or $39,250 a year.

As you gain years of technician experience, you can potentially increase your pay by earning certifications. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence develops certification tests widely recognized in the automotive industry. If you pass the highest level of ASE certification, you earn the title of master technician.

The average master technician makes much more than a new mechanic. Payscale.com reports that the average ASE master technician salary is $61,880.

If you have excellent customer service and people skills, you might consider taking on a role leading others. Repair shops and dealers hire former technicians to manage other technicians or coordinate the service schedule.

Here are a few mechanic specializations, including average salary data from the BLS:

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics are tasked with maintaining and repairing systems that ensure heavy construction vehicles function correctly. Of course, this task doesnt include diesel engines, which would be covered by a diesel mechanic.

But every other system within these heavy vehicles would be the responsibility of a mobile heavy equipment mechanic. Due to this, theyre rewarded with a higher median wage of $51,920. The top 10 percent in this field earned more than $75,370. Meanwhile, the bottom ten percent earned less than $32,280.

Anyone looking to become a mobile heavy equipment mechanic should expect to work weekends and nights. Overtime is quite common in this field, as well. The amount of work tends to reach peak levels during the harvest seasons.

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Getting Started As A Tech

You don’t need to know anything about changing spark plugs or fixing a transmission to own an auto garage if you hire the right technicians. However, knowing how to fix cars can help you start with a lower investment and keep more of your income for yourself.

Automotive service techs and mechanics earned an average median income of $44,050 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With more and more Baby Boomer mechanics retiring as cars become more technologically advanced, you would think the demand for techs would increase, but the BLS forecasts a 4 percent decrease in demand for these positions through 2029.

However, others in the profession hold the opposite view. In February 2020, for example, the Universal Technical Institute cited a potential shortage of 45,000 techs in the coming years, while a September 2020 article in Repair Driven News announced the shortage of techs was continuing to worsen.

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What Is A Mechanic

How Much Do Car Mechanics Make?

A mechanic is a professional who possesses hands-on knowledge of automobile, truck, and aircraft parts. Mechanics are trained on how to operate hand tools, diagnostic tools, and other equipment used to perform maintenance and repairs. They have working knowledge of engines, braking and steering systems, wheels, and other key components to vehicles.

As cars become more advanced, there is a growing demand for mechanics who have knowledge of computer systems.

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Other Ways To Get A Deal

  • Tell them to fix it when they can and youre okay leaving it there for a week
  • Schedule when its slow: months like January and February see less vehicle in for service and avoid times before major driving holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. Also, shops are busiest on Monday and Friday during the week
  • Refer them customers
  • Leave positive reviews on the major websites . Reviews are huge in their industry.

Understanding how Auto Repair Shops and Service Departments price their work is confusing. Understanding that without a reasonable markup on the parts they install your local mechanic is likely to struggle to put food on the table is easy. Find a reliable shop you can trust to do good work, in a timely manner, and for a reasonable price is a major key to maximizing the well being of your car.

When you need to price check a repair a good guide would be to check out RepairPal.com. They provide price ranges and descriptions of repair jobs for specific vehicles. They do have certified shops in the Austin Area who honor their pricing guidelines as well.

Job Description For Automotive Mechanic I

Automotive Mechanic I performs maintenance and repairs on automobiles and light trucks. Provides miscellaneous mechanic works, including but not limited to body work, diagnosing, disassembling and assembling components and engines. Being an Automotive Mechanic I performs all duties according to safety procedures. Typically requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, Automotive Mechanic I typically reports to a supervisor. The Automotive Mechanic I works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. To be an Automotive Mechanic I typically requires 1-3 years of related experience, or may need 0 years of experience with additional specialized training and/or certification. … View full job description

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