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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.