The Average Automotive Salaries
As one of the United States' largest industries, the automotive industry employs a variety of workers to bring vehicles from the drawing board to the driveways -- and then more to keep those automobiles rolling. Engineers, factory workers, sales people and mechanics are all intrigral to the automotive industry and all earn different salaries depending on their job duties and training.
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Automotive Engineers
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From the engine and drive train to seat adjustments and cup holders, every part on an automobile is the brainchild of a group of engineers. Engineers apply a background in mechanical engineering to improve old technologies and models and develop new ones, and earn average annual salaries that range from $52,186 to $82,526, as of December 2010, according to PayScale.
Automotive Factory Workers
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Because of the complexity of an automobile as well as the various roles inherent in any large factory, many different specializations exist in automotive manufacturing. Tool and die makers create the machinery used by other factory workers to create parts, and are among the highest paid in a factory, earning average hourly wages of $35.10, as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Welders and cutters earn $21.09 per hour on average, while factory workers who operate industrial machinery receive $26.87 per hour. Assemblers earn $24.91 to $27.84 per hour.
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Automotive Dealers
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Once a vehicle leaves the factory, it's an automotive dealership's job to sell it, and dealers employ a variety of staff to maximize their sales efforts. Sales staff, the most visible dealership personnel, receive average hourly wages of $18.91 after commission as of May 2008, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Sales staff in a dealership's parts department earn slightly less -- $16.26 per hour on average. Support staff such as bookkeepers and office clerks earn average hourly wages of $11.64 to $17.90.
Automotive Service Staff
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After a vehicle is sold, it must be serviced and repaired, and automotive service technicians, also known as mechanics, provide that service. Operating out of a dealership or an independently operated garage, mechanics' earnings depend on their experience, specialty and training, though average hourly wages fall between $12.51 and $21.21 as of December 2010, according to PayScale. Many service technicians also receive commission on parts and labor they sell to customers, with average yearly commissions totaling between $1,172 and $11,977.
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References
- Photo Credit automobile engine image by palms from Fotolia.com
