Automotive Technician Salary Information
An automotive technician inspects, repairs and maintains vehicles. If you are interested in become an automotive technician, consider taking a formal training program in high school or look for a postsecondary program through a vocational school or community college. If you are looking to work in populous, urban areas, get an edge by earning the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification, or ASE.
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National
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey program, the national average hourly rate for an automotive technician was $18.05 and the national average salary was $37,540. The median range for an automotive technician was below $19,890 to above $59,710.
Employment
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Automotive repair and maintenance employed the highest number of automotive technicians and offered a salary of $34,030, according to the BLS May 2008 OES data. Other industries that hired high numbers of automotive technicians were automobile dealers; automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores; gasoline stations; and the local government.
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Industries
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The petroleum and coal products manufacturing industry offered the highest pay for automotive technicians with an average salary of $70,050, according to the BLS May 2008 OES data. Other industries that offered high pay were aerospace product and parts manufacturing; couriers and express delivery services; natural gas distribution; and oil and gas extraction. Many of these industries deem automotive technicians as a valuable part of their work team because of their dependence on automotive vehicles.
State
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Alaska offered the highest pay out of any state with $49,230, according to the BLS May 2008 OES data. Other high-paying states include Connecticut, Maryland, California and Washington.
Metro
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Danbury, Connecticut was the metropolitan area that offered the highest pay at $56,130. Other metropolitan areas that offered high pay were Fairbanks, Alaska; Oakland, California; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Anchorage, Alaska.
Outlook
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The number of jobs is increasing more slowly than average at a rate of 5 percent through 2018, according to the BLS. However, many job openings will occur due to the retirement of existing automotive technicians. Job opportunities will be best for those who have completed postsecondary automotive training, along with earning an ASE certification.
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References
Resources
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