What Is the Starting Pay for an Auto Mechanic?

Auto mechanics start off making about $20,000 a year.

In 2008, 763,000 people were employed as automotive mechanics, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The starting salary for this profession depends on location and field of expertise.

The Facts

According to PayScale.com, in February 2010, the median starting salary for an auto mechanic with less than one year of experience ranged from $10 to $15 per hour.

Geography

Where a person works drastically changes his salary. The average salary for an auto mechanic in El Paso, Texas, for example, was $28,400, the website Search College reported in 2006; the average mechanic in Los Angeles, California made $34,900 per year.

Considerations

The starting pay for an auto mechanic does not include bonuses and overtime. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24 percent of auto mechanics worked more than 40 hours (and some shops may have a lower full-time workweek). In addition, those employed by a car dealership will earn a higher starting salary those in an automotive retail store.

Tips

Modern cars require auto mechanics to repair electronic components and moving parts. To advance in the automotive mechanic profession, you should get a college or vocational degree in automotive technology and Automotive Service Excellence certification.

Potential

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects slow growth for the auto mechanic profession between the years 2008 and 2018 and that those without an automotive degree will have a much harder time finding an entry-level position.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Pay Scale: Median Hourly Rate by Years Experience
• Search-Colleges: Auto Mechanic Salary & Pay Scale

Resources

• CollegeCrunch: 52 Career Starting Salaries
• DegreeDirectory: What Is the Salary for Entry-Level Automotive Mechanic Jobs?