What are typical automotive technician salaries?

I make a decent living as a technician but it is because I want to. You get out of a career what you put into it, just like life itself. Sure there are tough times right now, but that's in all industries, not just ours. Anyways when choosing a career do something you like to do, regardless of what it is. There is nothing worse then being stuck in something you can't stand over a 30 year career. The automotive industry is alot bigger then the dealership. You have aftermarket career opportunities, you can get into the business side of it, sales and management, design school, commercial accounts management, parts specialist, service writing, or hell go big and open you're own. I would advise having at least 10 years under you're belt before doing that, but the options are there. I myself did the dealership thing and after 5 years @ Honda, I left to go into the aftermarket. I think in that enviorment the opportunites are broader then working on the same type of car all damn day. The education is there, you have to have the willingness to want to do it, otherwise you will never succeeed at anything.

@ The Teacher, Mr Shift and all other readers

As I set on the computer and not turning wrenches as Mr. Teacher suggests. I had a young man ask me what does an auto technician make. Only for sure knowing my own wage I decided to do a search and I found this thread. However I felt it was necessary to talk about more than just the wage. If a young person wants to get in this field or any other they need to consider more than just the wage. Unlike Mr. Teacher who gives a biased opinion, only being in the field a little over ten years and whose job relies on putting techs in the field or he would not have a job. I don't know maybe if I was in his position I would also be as biased, but I'm not. I wanted to show the big picture. Some times you have to read the words to understand. I stated there are good days, bad days and so on. I feel that was a neutral statemnet. I also posted my wages for all to see. Where I come from that is a pretty respectable wage. I want those interested to see that that can very considerably and to know that before choosing a career. Who do I have to blame for my choices. Absolutly myself. However sometimes in like you just can't up and change careers. I personaly did not research the career well when I made the choice, I just wanted to work on cars. The success rate in this career is very low. I have kept in touch with 10 fellas I graduated with form technical school and I am the only one still in the field. I have seen countless good techs leave the field. Why am I still hear,not real sure. Believe it or not I still have a passion for the field. I am entiled to my opinion and will speak it I just want those to know that your body will eventually slow you down and you are paid on how fast you can make a repair. I feel I have responded to the inital question (what are typical automotive technician salaries). Thanks to Mr. Shift for your comments they are realistic. I will now jump off my soap box and never look at this thread again.

Well thanks all for the words of wisdom. Stumbled upon this and glad I did.

I just wanted to put my input in this discussion, i was a Honda tech for the past 9 1/2 years, i recenty quit due to the lack of pay due to the economy, and the fact that our spiff and commissions were taken away, we have had it hard for the past years, we lost 10 techs within a two year period, i followed most of our techs that went to a transit company and i sort of regret it, even though the auto industry has been down, i could not help but to leave it, i had it real good there, leave when i like, start when i like, and have the 4 10 schedule, i only lived 3 min away, plus the fact that i left a bunch of people that i called my family, the only reason i don't regret leaving that place was they pay. As for the job I'm at now its good in the sense of benefits, but its not what i love to do, i only worked on honda and acura vehicles for over 12 years and when i graduated tech school, i wanted to work at a honda dealership, my pay was not the best but when the commissions got taken away, it made it harder to pay bills, so as a former flat rate tech, id say do what you love to do, i am not happy on what i do now, but it pays the bills, you really don't want to be stuck in a job that you don't like for 30 plus years, i would work harder and more if i could go back, id still have great pride on what i was working on, so hopefully the economy starts picking up so i can relive my dream again. Any comments welcome, id like to hear it

magnum68 in Hollywood, Florida said: Does anyone recommend the Toyota T-TEN program? They mentioned in their site that a highly skilled technician can make over $70,000 a year.
www.toyota.com/about/tten/whytten.html

lol yo yo jet set radioooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I also have a 2 year degree from a community college but I studied electronics and work for a major medical equipment manufacturer. Right out of school I was hired just below $20 an hour and have great benefits and retirement package, tuition reimbursement if I want to go back to school.

I have test equipment that I must use provided by this company and my 'tool box' is only around $300 because most medical equipment requires very basic tools to take it apart and repair. You don't get greasy and your don't have to deal with harsh chemicals on your skin/clothes. If you run into problems just call tech support and 99% of the time you will get the answer to your problem. Even if medical equipment doesn't break down you are still required to inspect years, test, calibrate and document the PM. Its not a difficult job and if you like to travel there is field service for various types of equipment.

There are a few ex-car mechanics in this field I've met over the years. This might be an option for burned out mechanics that are looking for a different job but still like working with their hands.

Ive should of listened to the old timers and quit while I could. The dealer I work for only cares about numbers.
Constantly taking away from us, and it seems like service writers are more friends with customers , giving them free work all the time. Currently looking, dealers suck, only one guy makes money, and everyone else drowns

I am ase master with l1. At 23 per flat hour and did 76k last year. 15 years in biz. 80k+ in tools. Not a feild I would recomend to any one ever. I am on the mid to top end of pay and still struggle to make ends meet. As every one eles I live at the shop.

[so

Ever wonder why people think of automobile techs as low intelligence individuals that aren't worth a second thought? Here are just a few things to consider before you write.
1) Flat rate is a rip off but it's here to stay unfortunately,learn how to think and deal with it the best you can or get out of the business or the shop you're in. I chose to leave.
2) You will NEVER organize as a whole so make plans knowing this. Management does keep tabs on what the trends are and what they can get away with. They are usually 2 steps ahead of you. MAKE PLANS INDIVIDUALLY AND STEALTHILY and you have much more of a chance than trying to change things as a group.
3) This should be number one, ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP PLAN !For example, don't threaten to quit or make waves unless you have 1 or 2 alternate jobs or income lined up that you can actually go to. You should always be looking for another income to back you up, dont' get lazy about this because it WILL make you suffer in the end. guaranteed.
4) No matter what you've heard we ARE in a depression, I don't have the room to state my sources here but if you research a little you can find it for yourself. Just keep in mind that it is an employers market and you'll have to adjust your goals with that in mind. That doesn't mean it's OK to take the low road either, there's enough of that out there already.
5) Learn a new financial strategy. You can be happy or happier making less if you plan it correctly. Don't be a victim of cultural brainwashing, be an individual (if you own more than $10,000 in tools you likely can't think outside the box anyway) You'll never know how great it is to tell a deserving boss to shove his job unless you put some effort into all that it involves
Good luck guys, I'm out of room

The Teacher in Fort Worth, Texas said: To those who are complaining:
You have only yourself to blame. If you are not cutting it, then do us all a favor and leave the field. Quit complaining and spending time online to be on a soap box and shout your sorrows. You chose this field, you chose your shop to work at, you earned your paycheck. If you are not happy, then get out and make room for others that want to do it. Yes, I know you spend money on tools, we all have. We knew that coming in. I even spent money on tools just because I wanted the tool, not just needed it. Yes it is a physically demanding job. No one said you needed to do it for 20+ years. You chose to stay in it that long. You could have been a service adviser, Shop Foreman, Parts seller, Train depot worker, insurance adjuster, so on and so on. If you are reading this and are ready to comment, demonize, or otherwise respond to me, try putting down the keyboard and picking up a wrench to run more hours or a college catalog to change careers

To those who are not complaining:
You picked a career that pays well for those who know what they are doing. Remember quality over quantity when it comes to repairs and keep up with your training. If you are not happy because of your shop...well tool boxes have wheels don't they? :P

Who the Fu*k do you think you are preaching how GOOD the trade is, yea right! You sound like a shop owner that is to blind to see how this trade (has gone down hill) I have been in this trade for 31 years and have seen the automobile evolve to what it is today, and the more complex a vehicle becomes the less book time you get! Your frame of mind is why technicians keep getting screwed, (if atechnicians will work for nothing then why not keep hiring them, Dude you need to wake up and smell the coffee!

Mastec 1970

I hope cussing at me makes you feel better. Seems like you mad at me, perhaps I said something that rings true and you do not want to face it? You said you been in it for 31 years, why so long if you do not like it? Why not go to night school and change your career field? Why not work for a fleet company that has an air condition shop that has steady pay and better benefits? FYI I am not a shop owner. Here is a link for automotive jobs in your area:

www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Automotive+Technician&l=Fredericksburg%2C+Virginia

I am sure you can see the gamut of jobs, from independent shops, dealerships and more. Also you may want to bring that charming attitude so you can land that new job. But if pay is what you really want. Then I suggest this link:

www.indeed.com/q-Mechanic-Afghanistan-jobs.html

Next time you feel like you being bent over a barrel, please just blame me. Do not blame your mindset, deeds, actions, thoughts or anything/anyone else. Just think about me and blame me because I caused all of your problems. I single handedly screwed you over. Unless it was a conspiracy of evil shop owners, who by chance also are members of the Illuminati.

Feel free to attack me again. However, try using spell check next time. ;)

The truth is kids that you can make a living in the trade but its not a field that you can do til age65. Get in young, stay in til about 35, and by 40 have an exit plan. I am 40 and transitioning out, I have also been to college and served in the military, so I have other things I can do.

I did pick this trade and yes went to school and had to fight my way to Journeyman status with Ford and have worked in this hell of a career for over 16 years. I did not sign up to fight day in and day out, warranty garbage work, flatrate system that you never beat unless you are a theif, fighting with dumb service advisors, fighting with ford on how to get your time, all is great for anybody teaching this stuff as all teachers i have had were from dealers and could not cut it flatrate and now they get paid for what they do and at a industry level of course they will say it is the best trade ever as if they don't they have no students to lie to and teach to. The system is a joke and i have not met one good apprentice in the past 10 years that has what it takes. I am getting out of this crap very soon and have planned my exit. The only way you make over $100,000 a year is if you are a flush queen and are buddies with management or dispatcher and rip everybody off. I have seen more then i care to in this feild and am better for it as i know all the games and wont be a victim on when i get out and want warranty on my vehicles. I have heard it all and it is very unfortunate for the customer how this industry is. Hidden camera shows would have a hit if they ever exposed how this industry really is. I love the kids who say" i like working on cars" as their reason to pick this trade. It is time for the flatrate system to go away and actual honest repairs, good quality work comes back. Last i checked my time is valued at more then what i am getting and who the hell would put in over 60hrs a week to get 40 in return. Pretty bad investment. The tool thing is another scam all on its own when you own everything and the schooling and everybody makes their pay off of you but you. Best scam going! To anybody even thinking this as a career choice for the love of yourself and your family pick something else. It is not worth it. Now for the replies!

Im a mdt toyota with smog license technician from California. I'm currently at 33 an hour flat rate. I went to a t- ten program with got this job through my schools job placement 7 years ago. My 4th year as at tech ive made 60k. 5th year 80k. 6th year 90k . This year ive made 95k as a mdt technician. I'm 30 years old. The youngest master tech at this dealership and I'm not the top paid. The top guys make over 100 k a year. Im letting you guys know that it depends where u work and how busy the shop is. We have the coolest boss who sends techs to training all the time to get certified. If your shop isn't paying you then try other shops. Don't give those skills up.

phil gerad in Detroit, Michigan said: flat rate needs to go away it was invented in the 1920's and there is 2007 were a 4 year education is the norm ndoctors don't get commission pay! why should we! who loses the most is the car owner that does not get the car fixed right the first time

If it's a true flat rate shop, if it's not fixed right the first time. The customer does not pay the next. Any shop that's worth the sign out front works this way. Flat rate also helps keep the hourly rate out front down by not having to pay the techs over 25 and hour.

lets see, 250K, parts will be 1/3rd, comeback parts will be another ten percent, so lets figure 100K of that, that leaves 150k, now we take away rent, other business exspenses, internet, phone, water, electric, lets go with 50K there which is probably lower then actual. that leaves 100k, now lets go to the IRS, sales and use tax, 940 tax, 941 tax, unemployment tax, oh yea, so lets take another 25K off that.
well, we still have not made it to tech pay, lets add that up, what did you say you made, along with the other techs. because remember, we only have 75K left. if you and the other techs make 50K. that means the business owner is left with a salary of 25K. wow, I can really see who is getting screwed, can you.

i think i will forget about pursuing auto technology and continue with my new trade as an HVAC tech... it sure is fun!

You have only one worker?

Robert in Jacksonville, Florida said: lets see, 250K, parts will be 1/3rd, comeback parts will be another ten percent, so lets figure 100K of that, that leaves 150k, now we take away rent, other business exspenses, internet, phone, water, electric, lets go with 50K there which is probably lower then actual. that leaves 100k, now lets go to the IRS, sales and use tax, 940 tax, 941 tax, unemployment tax, oh yea, so lets take another 25K off that.
well, we still have not made it to tech pay, lets add that up, what did you say you made, along with the other techs. because remember, we only have 75K left. if you and the other techs make 50K. that means the business owner is left with a salary of 25K. wow, I can really see who is getting screwed, can you.

Parts 1/3rd? really most places charge 100$ markup on parts. 100% profit, soo up 100k. plus you can chargeback labor on defective parts. soo lets say 10 percent , at 110k profit,
So with your calculation your up 125k, not a bad living there. LOL this is funny parts !!! lol. QWTH

now lets look at what a smart shop owner can make. this is a high class shop, now your greasy 2 bay gas station.

average day is 5k(not including inspections)gross x 250 days open is 1,250,000

parts range from 20-30% depending on the job (batteries and tires excluded)

1,250,000 x .75 = 937,500

7 employees averaging 50k

937,500 - (7 x 50k) = 587,500

30 yr mortgage on 500k (fact, not a guess) - about 3500/ month

587,500 - (12 x 4k) = 539,500

utilities, info subscriptions, other monthy crap lets say 3k/month

539,500 - (3k x 12) = 503,500

and lets take off another 10k per month incase i forgot something, maybe a new roof, or an air compressor breaks, or your tech crashes a car and you pay for it out of pocket.

503,500 - (10k x 12) = 383,500

after all your expenses, after all the above which are tax deductible, the government takes roughly 30%

383,500 x .70 = $268,450

not a bad living if you ask me

Ok fred, you only charge 30% mark up on parts? Very nice of you. To clarify, your a general repair shop that doesnt have ads specializing in muffler or other areas? But yet you have a bender?
Alignments or no? Heavy vehicle lifts or no? drive up or not? Just a regular 7 bay shop?
Thats the auto repair buisness, alot on variables.

Clarifications:
The cost of parts generally range from 20-30% of the entire repair order price(thus the 25% reduction from gross as the first calculation). Labor is always flexible. The percentage markup on parts varies greatly, but is usually accommodated for in labor. Tires and batteries are excluded from those numbers because they generally cost the shop more than half what the shop can charge the customer for them, even with labor.

This shop has 6 regular lifts, 1 drive on for alignments, and 1 15k pound lift.

This shop runs almost no advertising, but has several "AAA certified" type of accreditations, which provide a steady flow of new customers. We have no pipe bender, all exhaust is replaced as whole pieces.

The 7 employees are 4 techs, 1 manager/service writer, 1 state inspector, and 1 Front end office/desk helper.

The 4 techs are good techs, take the time neccesary to get very few comebacks, and prefer an easier paced day to the dealership "long live politics" mentality.

The last time i checked the numbers was last thursday. On that day 1 technician was out sick, we were moderately busy but not slammed. The shop cashed out a little over 5k in repair orders.

I would also like to clarify that I am not the owner of this shop, I am a tech that works in this shop, I am very business minded and have been taking notes on how a successful shop runs so that one day I may be in the same shoes as the owner of this shop. My name and location have been changed because I'm sure the owner would not like these posts.

I often get frustrated by how hard it can be to find real numbers in business, since the books are skewed due to the fact than any successful small business man would be stupid to report 250k earnings instead of invest that money back into the business or elsewhere. I guarantee you that the owner of this shop pays less income tax than i do.

I have to agree with most people here in that the more you know the less you make. I am almost 50..working for toyota almost 30 years. Im an ase certified mastertech since 1995. Toyota master also and now MDT. When I first started the senior guys got all the gravy work, made all the money while I learned the trade. Now the rules changed, older more experienced guys might get mor per hour but its the younger guy that works for about half thhe hourly rate that gets all the work. I diag check engine lights all day and deal with other techs comebacks,repair hybrids and do freebies all day. The shmuck who dont know a darn thing does brakes and services all day and has about 100 dollars in tools makes 80 hours per week.

I finally left the dealership working for Nissan going on 8 years. Tired of all the chaos going on working 10 hr days and only flagging maybe 5 or 6 hours. I was a ase and Nissan master with Gtr and leaf certified with a smog license making 35 per hour which seems like alot but they gave all the gravy work to the less paid techs and I got all the squeaks and rattle and Chech engine light repairs . Sometimes I only flagged one hour some days. I finally got a position at a county transit agency making less per hour but at least I get hourly pay and time and a half for overtime plus weekends off. It's a union shop and I have a pension for retirement and great medical benifits. I'm very happy now.

Interesting thread. If anyone is interested in work on exclusively Honda vehicles, we have STRAIGHT HOURLY technician positions. Clean shop, lots of work, great environment, located in Marysville, Ohio. If interested in learning more, contact us at oppportunities@qek.com for confidential interview

Im a 24 year old honda service technician. we're all bumper to bumper. I have a 2 year degree and 100 percent trained in honda training. The dealer i currently work for are currently the top dogs in san antonio. But they treat the techs like we're replaceable. They tell us in order to get another pay raise we cant miss one day of work for 6 months and we only get one dollar for every 3 ase tests we take. Thats bull. You can piss up a rope with that offer. The moral in the shop gets killed cause we're on a lateraly team support with a team leader that dispatches the work. Its nice and all but all team leaders have there favorite work horse so good bye gravey hello garbage work and warranty. I can honesly say 70-80 hours out of a 110 hour pay period is warranty work. with means you seriously gotta crank up our speed to bang the jobs out while the guy next to you is getting fead. this isnt the only dealer i've worked in and its the same all over. i dont make enemies cause the old timer that trained was smart "never burn your bridgers you never know when your gonna need help or a favor" ; which is true. i know i dont know everything about these cars and you always run into a new problem or sympton. But when your bosses are treating you like crap and all you work on is garbage, your attitude goes to crap. Im ready to get out and i Hope the managers get a lesson learned when all the techs they should take care leave and they get stuck with guys that cant diagnose a lunch box if their life depended on it.

110 hour pay period? Is that a week? 2 weeks? Are you talking about flat rate? Please explain the honda pay system a little more. I know what you mean though as far as the bullcrap you described. its the same everywhere. But if your 110 hours pay period is for 2 weeks, good for you man, your doing better than a chevrolet dealer. I get 23 a hour flat rate and got 35 hours this week. With your degree and full honda training training, you should get at least 25 hour flat rate with all ASE.

This year, I will have 8 students who already have jobs as soon as they graduate. Those jobs will sponsor them for their formal training at a 2 year program.
4 Students will work for a Freightliner dealership. They start at $15-per hour plus commission after the finish OSU education.
2 Students will start at a Ford Dealership. Start pay average is $10 per hour during schooling (ASSET) and $14 flag time.
2 Students going into Honda. I will say that this partnership is new so I do not know their pay scale, but they are going to the Honda Training program.
1 Student is shooting for professional racing. He knows his odds but he is determine to attempt.

I will tell you what I told my students. This job is only a small part of the transportation career. I do not expect people to stay a Tech for 30+ years. However, if you are in it for that long, I hope it is because you wanted to be in it. You can however always change jobs and still be in the same career. If you find yourself complaining about work all the time, hating to even be at work, then leave and find another meaningful job that you can be happy with or you will be that old guy that just brings everyone else down before they hit critical mass and throw a temper tantrum (however those are fun to watch).

Tommy is correct about people being compensated for their skill. I believe anyone who works hard and knows their stuff should be paid. If you expect to be rewarded for hours of study during college disappointment is your future. You alone are rewarded for that dedication; no employer will reward you until you do something for them. Spend 2 up to 7 years in college then sit back and cash will roll in! Sorry there is no such thing. Expect only your wage/salary and dedicate yourself as if you owned the business during your work day, then you may see reward from them. The grunt work guy per Tommy is "in early out late", how about the intellect? Expecting reward for his days in a college dorm perhaps? Who produced more income for the business? Stay valuable to your employer so they cant afford to lose or cut you; find reward by working hard, don't expect anything but a paycheck. The intellect per Tommy is repairing high tech items and computers using high tech items. What do you think the intellect who invented technology and tools would say about someone repairing them? I have a GED and very little college, 17 years in the same company and 85-90K for 5 days 8 hours each. I have been given instructor jobs and when my kids are grown I will take the promotion waiting for me. I expect only my paycheck but am valuable enough that they will wait to promote me. Do not portray your value to them, be valuable!!!

Yeah, I know the horrors of this trade well. I still take pride in my work! To all you newcomers, most of the stories you hear are True! But listen... This is a great trade! You will pay dues and if you stay clean, you will make money. The art of this trade is not to run from the work but embrace it. Pay sucks at time but experience don't. Hell when you have suffered for the other long enough, suffer for yourself... But beware, your name is worth its wait millions of time in gold! And always remember this, There are engineers out there with Doctorate degrees and they still can't fix their car!

I STARTED OUT IN THE BACK OF A '76 STATION. I STARTED OUT WITH OIL CHANGES AND CHANGING BELTS AND TIRE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. I ATTENDED AUTOMOTIVE CLASSES AT A LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT NIGHT AFTER WORK. SOON I WAS THE EMMISSIONS TECHNICIAN, THE OWNER SENT ME TO THE 76 PROTECH SCHOOL WHERE I GAINED A LOT OF INFO ON REPAIR WORK. I SEARCHED OUT ALL INFO THAT I COULD TAKE IN ON AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR. I PAID MY DUES AND WHEN THE MOMENT CAME TO ADVANCE I DID. I WAS SOON WORKING FOR A MERCEDES BENZ INDEPENDANT SHOP. THE OWNER WAS INTERESTED IN OUR WELFARE AND EDUCATION AS HE UNDERSTOOD IT WOULD PAY OFF FOR HIM. I STARTED OUT AT $16 FLAT RATE WITH THE INCENTIVES OF $1 RAISE FOR EVERY ASE I PASSED. 1 1/2 YEARS AFTER HIRE I WAS A ASE MASTER TECH. L1 AND AN UNLIMITED SMOG LICENSE. MAKING $28 FLAT RATE. 3 WEEK PAID VACATION, SICK DAYS, HEALTH INSURANCE WITH COMPANY PAYING 1/2. LIFE INSURANCE. AND ALL EDUCATION PAID FOR BY COMPANY. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SHOPS OUT THERE THAT WILL PAY, BUT YOU MUST HAVE THE INITIATIVE TO APPLY YOURSELF................NO PAIN NO GAIN!!!!!