Typical Salary for a Car Mechanic
Car mechanics inspect, service and repair automobiles and small trucks that run on gasoline, electricity or alternative fuels. They can perform basic maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations, and handle more serious operations like replacing an engine or fixing a broken axle. Because modern cars grow in complexity every year, mechanics must adapt by learning not only mechanical systems but integrated electronic systems and computer controls. They must be able to use mechanical, electronic and computerized tools to diagnose and fix problems. A typical mechanic's salary depends on experience and skill level, among other factors.
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Basics
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According to The PayScale Report as of May 2010, car mechanics average an hourly rate of $13.11 to $21.61 with tips of 32 cents to $1.31 and overtime pay of $15.29 to $26.74. Adding yearly bonuses of $206.19 to $1,515; commissions of $1,009 to $11,626 and profit-sharing of $498.33 to $2,493 produces a total annual pay of $29,750 to $48,960.
Experience
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Experience pays a part in compensation with new workers starting with an annual salary of $23,806 to $45,000. At one to four years of experience, they make $22,216 to $40,028 and at five to nine years, they earn $28,787 to $48,524. At 10 to 19 years, they receive $34,294 to $60,796 and at 20 years or more, they get $38,384 to $61,830.
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Employer
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The type of employer affects salary with colleges and universities paying the widest range at $18,821 to $60,505, while school districts average $29,890 to $50,000. Those working for a private company make $30,670 to $57,815, while those who are self-employed earn $26,050 to $56,112. Workers in the federal government receive $25,711 to $49,618, while those in state and local jurisdictions get $28,966 to $51,132. Finally, those employed by a franchise are paid at $34,137 to $58,533, while those under contract are compensated at $28,496 to $40,834.
Location
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The city of employment determines pay windows, with mechanics in Los Angeles earning $35,608 to $74,426 and those in Tampa getting $28,000 to $60,000. Mechanics in Orlando average $29,000 to $55,000, while those in Austin receive $33,041 to $58,750. Finally, those in Phoenix make $28,486 to $69,622, while those in Las Vegas get $35,605 $85,923. As for states, California pays the most at $35,562 to $66,586, followed closely by New York, which averages $32,699 to $59,366. Workers in Florida get $27,004 to $53,748, while those in Georgia receive $25,314 to $51,625. Finally, those in Michigan are paid at $30,216 to $51,908, while those in Texas earn $29,194 to $51,305.
Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mechanics will see job growth of only 5 percent from 2008 2018, which is slower than average for all occupations. The increasing number of vehicles in the United States will demand new workers for performing basic car maintenance and repair. In addition, vehicles are lasting longer, which increases opportunities for repair services, especially after the warranty expires.
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References
Resources
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