How to become automotive service technicians and mechanicseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$50,620

25th–75th pct. $38,900–$70,430

Top pay (est.)

$106,300

Top 10% $81,790

Pay in 5 years

$59,300est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$69,500est.

$59,800–$80,700

Outlook score

61/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

27%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.0%

66K openings / yr

How to become automotive service technicians and mechanics

Typical education

Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Key skills

Repairing

3.9

Troubleshooting

3.9

Critical Thinking

3.8

Equipment Maintenance

3.6

Installation

3.4

Quality Control Analysis

3.2

Complex Problem Solving

3.1

Operations Monitoring

3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical

5.3

Computers and Electronics

3.7

Mathematics

3.5

Engineering and Technology

3.5

Education and Training

2.9

Chemistry

2.6

Physics

2.6

Administration and Management

2.4

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Important abilities

Extent FlexibilityOral ComprehensionNear VisionVisualizationFinger DexterityDeductive Reasoning

Training before entry

1–3 months

26%

Up to 1 month

26%

2–4 years

15%

None / short demo

12%

3–6 months

12%

4–10 years

Over 10 years

Related work experience

1–2 years

43%

None

26%

2–4 years

6–12 months

6–8 years

3–6 months

4–6 years

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as automotive service technicians and mechanics

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
4	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
5	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%
6	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.	$53,750	50/100	33%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.