How to Become an Automotive Mechanic: Career Advice & Information

Overview & Salaries

Overview

Auto mechanics get vehicles started and keep them running. They diagnose problems with automobiles, fix them, and also maintain and upgrade them. To work as an auto mechanic, you’ll need to know a lot about mechanics—or increasingly, electronics—be comfortable working with your hands (and getting dirty), and have strong attention to detail.

Salary

Annual salaries for auto mechanic will vary depending on your experience, education level, and expertise. In 2013, the average annual salary for an auto mechanic employed in the U.S. was $39,450 per year.

For more information on what parts of the country have the most opportunity for auto mechanics, click through to our Best Places to Work tab for information on the number of people employed and the average salary in each state.

Degree Options for Auto Mechanic Careers

There’s no specific training required, but as technology gets more complicated, employers are demanding more education in the field. Normally, you’ll need a high school diploma—high school auto repair courses are helpful but not usually enough.

Fortunately, there are many accredited technical and trade schools, as well as community colleges offering programs which teach students how to use modern equipment and techniques in auto repair.

In the end, though, most of what you learn comes from hands-on experience working on vehicles. Much of that experience will come from on-the-job training while employed.

There are certifications available for those who want to specialize and earn a higher income. Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Excellence is one of the more impressive credentials available. Practitioners can become certified in eight different areas: automatic transmission/transaxle, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, engine repair, heating and air-conditioning, manual drive train and axles, and suspension and steering.

Discover the Best Cities and States to Work as an Auto Mechanic

California hires the greatest number of auto mechanics in the nation—56,000 are currently employed, and making a yearly average salary of $43,220. Texas is second, where auto mechanics make an annual mean wage of $38,250 in roughly 45,000 positions statewide.

The top 5 city areas that are employing auto mechanics are:

  • Chicago-Joliet Metropolitan Area (14,860)
  • New York-White Plains Metropolitan Area (14.010)
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach Metropolitan Area (13,070)
  • Atlanta Metropolitan Area (10,950)
  • Houston Metropolitan Area (9,990)

Employment and Salary Information for Auto Mechanics

Use our interactive map below to find out which areas of the United States are currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth and job availability for graduates looking for a career as an auto mechanic. The associated information has been gathered from Bureau of Labor statistics, representing data collected in 2012.

Employment and Information Data for Automotive Mechanic

Auto Mechanic: What You Need To Know

When a car comes in for repair, auto mechanics may do a few things. They may run diagnostics on the vehicle or certain parts to see what’s working and assess what needs to be fixed, often running through a checklist of potential problems. They may repair or replace parts, or do standard tune-ups (like changing a vehicle’s oil or checking the brake pads). The key skills include:

  • Mechanical Knowledge and Manual Skills
  • Knowledge of Vehicle Electronics
  • Understanding of Vehicles
  • Attention to Detail
  • Some Physical Strength

Auto Mechanic: What You Need To Know

When a car comes in for repair, auto mechanics may do a few things. They may run diagnostics on the vehicle or certain parts to see what’s working and assess what needs to be fixed, often running through a checklist of potential problems. They may repair or replace parts, or do standard tune-ups (like changing a vehicle’s oil or checking the brake pads). The key skills include:

  • Mechanical Knowledge and Manual Skills
  • Knowledge of Vehicle Electronics
  • Understanding of Vehicles
  • Attention to Detail
  • Some Physical Strength

Why Become An Auto Mechanic?

Practically every car you see on the road has either been to an auto mechanic or will go to one. That’s a lot of demand. People need auto mechanics to keep them moving, it’s a skilled job, and on top of that, there’s the satisfaction of actually understanding what’s under the hood.

  • Big industry with growth prospects. There are about 701,000 auto mechanics in the U.S., and employment is projected to grow at a rate of 9% over the next decade—as fast as the average occupation nationwide.
  • Work with your hands. Great if you hate the idea of being behind a desk.
  • Use real skills. You need to know what you’re doing to fix a car, and your customers are putting a lot of faith in you when they trust their car to you.
  • Spend all day with cars. Not everyone loves cars that much—but if you do, what could be better?
  • Be your own boss. 14% of auto mechanics are self-employed, running their own businesses.
  • Fix your own car trouble.