Automotive Technician Salary
The median annual wage for automotive technicians in the United States is $50,620, about $24.34 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $38,900 to $70,430. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $50,090.
Data as of May 2025.
Automotive Technician pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,660 | $36,120 |
| 25th percentile | $38,900 | $38,230 |
| Median (50th) | $50,620 | $50,090 |
| 75th percentile | $70,430 | $72,740 |
| 90th percentile | $81,790 | $82,570 |
| Mean (average) | $56,420 | $57,320 |
| Workers employed | 704,640 | 11,340 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $24.34.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $38,900 to $70,430.
BLS counted 704,640 workers in "Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $50,620, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $56,420, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $34,660 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $81,790 or more, about 2.4 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 11,340 workers, about 1.6% of the national total. The metro median of $50,090 is 1% below the national median.
BLS counts automotive service technicians and mechanics in every industry: dealerships, independent repair shops, fleets, retailers and government garages. The figures are not limited to dealership employees.
Automotive Technician salary by state
District of Columbia has the highest state median at $68,660 and West Virginia the lowest at $37,660, a gap of $31,000. 25 of 51 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 30th at $49,570, 2% below the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 51 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects automotive technician pay
- Pay plan matters as much as the rate. Some shops pay by the clock hour, others pay flat rate, which means a set number of labor hours for each repair. Under flat rate, take-home pay depends on how steadily work is assigned and how fast a technician finishes it, so ask how work is handed out before you compare offers.
- Skill level separates the bottom and top of the range. Routine maintenance such as oil changes and tire work calls for less training than diagnostics on engine, electrical and driver-assistance systems, and employers generally pay more for the second kind of work.
- Certification and factory training help a technician qualify for harder repairs. ASE certification and manufacturer programs are common, but employers set their own pay for them and BLS does not report a certification premium.
- Tools are a cost to weigh. Many shops expect technicians to bring their own tool set, so compare the pay offer together with any tool allowance or tool purchase program.
Career Path and Pay
Most technicians start in a lube, tire or general service position, where the work is routine and the learning is steady. As they take on brakes, steering, electrical and engine work, they can move into general repair and then diagnostics, which is where the highest-paid technicians are usually found.
From there the paths split. Some technicians specialize by brand or by technology such as electric vehicles and driver-assistance systems. Others become shop foremen, team leaders or service managers, which shifts pay from billed hours toward a salary or bonus tied to the department.
What an Automotive Technician does
- Inspect vehicles and diagnose faults using scan tools and manufacturer procedures.
- Perform scheduled maintenance, repairs and recall or warranty work.
- Document work performed so advisors can explain it to customers.
Certifications and Training
- ASE certification tests cover areas such as engine repair, brakes, electrical systems and heating and air conditioning.
- ASE certification requires passing a test and documenting hands-on work experience.
- ASE certifications are valid for five years and are renewed by recertification testing.
- Many manufacturers run their own training and certification programs for dealership technicians.
Automotive Technician salary: common questions
How much does a automotive technician make?
The median is $50,620 a year, about $24.34 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $38,900 to $70,430.
How much does a automotive technician make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $50,090, about $24.08 an hour, and the middle half earns $38,230 to $72,740.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid automotive technicians earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $81,790 or more and the bottom tenth earn $34,660 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays automotive technicians the most?
District of Columbia ($68,660), then California ($64,980) and Colorado ($61,280).
Is flat rate or hourly pay better for a technician?
Neither is better for everyone. Hourly pay guarantees money for the hours you are clocked in. Flat rate pays for the labor hours a repair is worth, so a fast, efficient technician with steady work can earn more, and a slow day can earn less. Ask whether the shop offers a guarantee or minimum.
Do technicians have to buy their own tools?
In many shops they do, at least for hand tools, while larger specialty equipment is usually supplied by the shop. Practice varies by employer, so ask about tool expectations, tool allowances and tool financing before you accept an offer.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS counts automotive service technicians and mechanics in every industry: dealerships, independent repair shops, fleets, retailers and government garages. The figures are not limited to dealership employees.
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
Data as of May 2025.
Related
Looking for an Automotive Technician job?
Create a free AutoHire profile and apply to automotive jobs, or post an opening if you are hiring.