Parts Advisor Salary
The median annual wage for parts advisors in the United States is $38,630, about $18.57 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $33,110 to $49,850. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $46,860.
Data as of May 2025.
Parts Advisor pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,240 | $34,740 |
| 25th percentile | $33,110 | $38,700 |
| Median (50th) | $38,630 | $46,860 |
| 75th percentile | $49,850 | $61,150 |
| 90th percentile | $62,890 | $73,380 |
| Mean (average) | $43,830 | $51,060 |
| Workers employed | 270,070 | 2,720 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $18.57.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $33,110 to $49,850.
BLS counted 270,070 workers in "Parts Salespersons" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $38,630, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $43,830, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $28,240 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $62,890 or more, about 2.2 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 2,720 workers, about 1.0% of the national total. The metro median of $46,860 is 21% above the national median.
BLS reports this occupation as "Parts Salespersons". It covers counter and sales staff who sell vehicle parts at dealerships, retail parts stores and wholesale distributors, so it is the closest official match to a dealership parts advisor.
Parts Advisor salary by state
North Dakota has the highest state median at $48,600 and Louisiana the lowest at $31,310, a gap of $17,290. 28 of 50 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 9th at $46,020, 19% above the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 50 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects parts advisor pay
- Customer mix changes the job. Serving walk-in retail customers is different from supplying repair shops on wholesale accounts, and employers may pay differently for each, including commission or bonus plans tied to sales.
- Catalog and system knowledge builds value. Advisors who can find the right part quickly from a vehicle identification number, and who know the dealership management and parts catalog systems, save the service department time.
- Location plays a part. Pay can differ between a large metro and a small market, which the state and metro figures on this page show.
- Parts advisors are a common step toward parts manager and other fixed operations roles, and pay generally rises with responsibility.
Career Path and Pay
Parts careers often start as a driver, stock handler or counter assistant, learning the catalog and the inventory. A parts advisor then handles the counter, answers technician and customer questions, and builds a base of repeat accounts.
The usual next steps are lead counter person, wholesale parts sales or parts manager, and from there fixed operations director at a larger store or group. Each step adds inventory, margin and people responsibility.
What a Parts Advisor does
- Look up parts in catalogs and systems and confirm fitment.
- Serve technicians, retail customers and wholesale accounts at the counter and by phone.
- Receive, stock and return parts and keep inventory records accurate.
Certifications and Training
- ASE offers an Automobile Parts Specialist certification (P2).
Parts Advisor salary: common questions
How much does a parts advisor make?
The median is $38,630 a year, about $18.57 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $33,110 to $49,850.
How much does a parts advisor make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $46,860, about $22.53 an hour, and the middle half earns $38,700 to $61,150.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid parts advisors earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $62,890 or more and the bottom tenth earn $28,240 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays parts advisors the most?
North Dakota ($48,600), then Colorado ($47,660) and Minnesota ($47,030).
Do parts advisors earn commission?
Some employers pay an hourly wage plus commission or a bonus tied to sales or gross profit, especially on wholesale accounts, and others pay a flat hourly rate. BLS counts commissions as part of wages, so the figures on this page include them.
What skills does a parts advisor need?
Product knowledge, accuracy and speed matter most: finding the right part from a vehicle identification number, reading the catalog, and keeping inventory records clean. Strong customer service helps with both walk-in buyers and repair shop accounts.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS reports this occupation as "Parts Salespersons". It covers counter and sales staff who sell vehicle parts at dealerships, retail parts stores and wholesale distributors, so it is the closest official match to a dealership parts advisor.
How these numbers are calculated
Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025. They cover wage and salary workers, count commissions and production bonuses, and leave out the self-employed, overtime and benefits. Hourly figures are the annual wage divided by 2,080 hours, a conversion AutoHire adds. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.
BLS publishes May 2026 estimates in spring 2027. This page updates when they are released.
Sources
- BLS OEWS, Parts Salespersons (41-2022), national, state and metropolitan estimates (data as of May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program overview and methods (data as of May 2025)
Data as of May 2025.
Related
Looking for a Parts Advisor job?
Create a free AutoHire profile and apply to automotive jobs, or post an opening if you are hiring.