State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is $50,620 a year ($24.34/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.2% through 2034, with about 70,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 49-3023Installation, Maintenance, and RepairLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $50,620
- Projected growth
- +4.2%
- Openings a year
- 70,000
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech), Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech), Automotive Technician (Auto Tech), Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech), Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech).
How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make?
10th percentile$34,660
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$38,900
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$50,620
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$70,430
Upper quartile
90th percentile$81,790
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $50,620 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $24.34/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $56,420 |
| People employed | 704,640 |
Versus all US occupations
At $50,620, the median for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $60,460, this is 16% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $81,790 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,660, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 31% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($68,660), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $64,479 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,660 | $62,474 | 310 |
| California | $64,980 | $58,689 | 65,420 |
| Colorado | $61,280 | $59,465 | 12,300 |
| Alaska | $60,840 | $59,438 | 1,420 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 | $57,452 | 12,710 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 | $58,122 | 6,960 |
| Virginia | $59,330 | $58,682 | 17,880 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 | $56,660 | 4,840 |
| Montana | $58,740 | $62,064 | 2,900 |
| Oregon | $58,520 | $56,617 | 6,990 |
Is Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic a growing career?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics4.2%
All US occupations3.1%
+4.2% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics to change 4.2% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 33,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 70,000 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 805,600 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The number of vehicles in use is expected to continue rising over the projections decade, and service technicians will be needed to maintain and repair them. Many owners are keeping their vehicles longer, which should support demand for these workers to provide the servicing that older vehicles often require.
The increased demand for calibrations and repairs for advanced safety systems will also support demand for these workers. However, the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, which require less maintenance and repair, may limit some of the future demand for these workers.
How to become an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic
No state licenses auto mechanics as a profession, and ASE certification is voluntary despite being treated as the industry standard. There is exactly one federal credential that is genuinely mandatory, and it is the one nobody searches for: the EPA requires all technicians who buy or work with refrigerants to be certified in proper refrigerant handling, which in a repair shop means section 609 certification before you touch a vehicle air conditioning system for pay. The ASE catch that surprises people is that passing the test is not enough. Without documented hands-on experience you get a score report and no certificate.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a programme in automotive service technology, or start on the job
BLS records a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry-level education, delivered by high schools, community colleges and technical institutes and leading to a certificate or associate degree. Some programmes are sponsored by manufacturers or dealers and focus on one make; others focus on a subject such as brakes or engine performance. Some technicians enter with a high school diploma and learn entirely on the job.
- Get the EPA refrigerant certification
The EPA requires all technicians who buy or work with refrigerants to be certified in proper refrigerant handling, and BLS repeats this. Section 609 of the Clean Air Act requires anyone who repairs or services a motor vehicle air conditioning system for consideration, meaning payment or bartering, to be trained and certified by an EPA-approved programme. There is no formal test preparation requirement, and many trade schools, unions and employer associations run courses aimed at the exam. ASE is itself one of the EPA-approved section 609 programmes.
- Accumulate the hands-on experience ASE will ask you to prove
ASE requires relevant hands-on work experience alongside a passing test score, and the amount varies by test. Repair technician experience is claimed in bands of 1, 2 or 3 years. Relevant formal training can substitute for part of it. Experience must match the certification: repair technician experience does not satisfy the requirement for the collision damage estimator, service consultant or parts specialist tests.
- Sit the A-series tests for the work you actually do
The Automobile and Light Truck series runs A1 Engine Repair, A2 Automatic Transmission and Transaxle, A3 Manual Drive Train and Axles, A4 Suspension and Steering, A5 Brakes, A6 Electrical and Electronic Systems, A7 Heating and Air Conditioning, A8 Engine Performance and A9 Light Vehicle Diesel Engines. Certification in A1 through A8 makes you an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician; A9 is not required for master status. Tests are available in Spanish.
- If you are still a student, use the entry-level route
ASE runs separate Entry-Level certification tests for the Automobile, Collision Repair and Refinish, and Medium/Heavy Truck series. Students at an ASE Accredited Training Program who pass eight specified entry-level tests and submit six months of full-time or one year of part-time work experience are automatically credited with six months toward the one-year work experience requirement and awarded the professional G1 Maintenance and Light Repair certification.
- Renew every five years
ASE certification must be renewed every five years. You can retest (recertification tests A1R to A9R are about half the length of the initial tests and require having passed the corresponding initial test first) or use the ASE Renewal App, which serves one question per certification every 30 days and extends a certification area by one year for every 8 credits earned, on an annual A-series subscription of $52 regardless of how many certifications you hold.
Exams you have to pass
ASE Automobile and Light Truck certification tests (A1 to A9) (A-series)
Nine tests of 40 to 50 scored questions each, plus 10 unscored research questions you are not told the identity of. Certification requires a passing score and documented work experience; test first and you receive only a score report until the experience form is filed. Tests are taken in person at a Prometric test center or, for those eligible, by online remote proctoring.
Administered by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
EPA section 609 certification exam
Covers the proper use of motor vehicle air conditioning servicing equipment, the regulatory requirements, refrigerant recovery, and the effects of improper handling on the ozone layer and climate. Candidates must be trained by an EPA-approved programme and pass its test. EPA publishes the list of approved programmes, which includes ASE, ESCO Institute, MACS and manufacturer and dealer association programmes.
Administered by EPA-approved training and certification programmes.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
EPA section 608 and 609 technician certification credentials do not expire and carry no continuing education obligation. ASE certification is the opposite: it must be renewed every five years, either by retesting or through the ASE Renewal App, and lapsing means going back to the full-length initial test.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
BLS lists no state licence for automotive service technicians. The federal refrigerant certification is uniform nationwide. What does vary is state vehicle inspection and emissions programmes: states that run periodic safety or emissions inspections license or certify the inspectors who perform them, which is a credential attached to the inspection station and the inspection task rather than to the job of mechanic. Some states and cities also regulate auto repair shops as businesses, again separately from the technicians they employ.
Who governs the credential
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Requires certification of anyone who buys or works with refrigerants, approves the section 609 training and certification programmes for motor vehicle air conditioning, and publishes the list of approved providers.
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) — A non-profit established by the automotive industry in 1972 that writes and administers over 50 voluntary certification tests, sets the work experience requirements, awards Master Technician status, and requires renewal every five years.
Credential detail for automotive service technician and mechanics is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Section 609 Technician Training and Certification Programs · checked August 23, 2026
- ASE — Automobile and Light Truck Certification Tests A1 to A9, master status and five-year recertification · checked August 23, 2026
- ASE — Work Experience Requirements · checked August 23, 2026
- ASE — Entry-Level Testing and the G1 award pathway · checked August 23, 2026
- ASE — Recertifications using the ASE Renewal App · checked August 23, 2026
- ASE — ASE Certification Pathway (over 50 tests, renewal every 5 years) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Automotive service technicians and mechanics typically complete a program in automotive service technology or a related field. However, some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn on the job. Certification may be required.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as automotive service technicians and mechanics.
- Post-Secondary Certificate50.3%
- High School Diploma42.6%
- Some College Courses5.8%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)1.4%
What does an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic do?
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Maintain cleanliness of work area.
- Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most service technicians work full time. Evening or weekend work may be required.
Where the work happens
- Rarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
- Regular bending or twisting
Working with people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where automotive service technicians and mechanics work
| Automobile dealers | 32% |
|---|---|
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 26% |
| Self-employed workers | 14% |
| Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers | 6% |
| Other automotive repair and maintenance | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
- Active Learning2.8/5
- Learning Strategies2.6/5
Transferable skills
- Repairing3.8/5
- Troubleshooting3.6/5
- Operations Monitoring3.5/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.4/5
- Operation and Control3.3/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Internet browser software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Billing and invoicing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base reporting software
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigativeprimary3.6
Artistic1.0
Social1.4
Enterprising1.6
Conventionalprimary4.3
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic: frequently asked questions
How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn a median of $50,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.34/hr. The middle half earn between $38,900 and $70,430. The top 10% earn $81,790 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.3% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.2% over 2024–2034, faster than the 3.1% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 70,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic do?
Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. A core O*NET task: inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Internet browser software.
Which states pay Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics the most?
The highest state medians for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics are District of Columbia ($68,660), California ($64,980), Colorado ($61,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $64,479.
What personality type suits an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic?
O*NET scores Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
Do you need a license to work as an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic?
Not a state license. BLS lists no state licence for automotive service technicians. The federal refrigerant certification is uniform nationwide. What does vary is state vehicle inspection and emissions programmes: states that run periodic safety or emissions inspections license or certify the inspectors who perform them, which is a credential attached to the inspection station and the inspection task rather than to the job of mechanic. Some states and cities also regulate auto repair shops as businesses, again separately from the technicians they employ.
What exams and certifications apply to an Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic?
The A-series (ASE Automobile and Light Truck certification tests (A1 to A9)) and the EPA section 609 certification exam. Nine tests of 40 to 50 scored questions each, plus 10 unscored research questions you are not told the identity of. Certification requires a passing score and documented work experience; test first and you receive only a score report until the experience form is filed. Tests are taken in person at a Prometric test center or, for those eligible, by online remote proctoring.