Automotive Technician Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$50,000
national median salary
$38,000 to $66,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (SOC 49-3023) across the United States, based on 704,640 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$34,660
25th percentile
$38,900
Median
$50,620
75th percentile
$70,430
90th percentile
$81,790
Workers surveyed
704,640
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$49,670
May 2025 release
$50,620
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (SOC 49-3023) rather than Automotive Technicianspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 49-3023Highest Paying
$68,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$52,000
Sacramento, CA
Lowest Paying
$37,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 49-3023. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Automotive Technician salary in the United States at $50,000 in 2026, within a range of $38,000 to $66,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $68,000, while Sacramento offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. ASE Master Technician certification adds 15 to 20% to earnings, while specialization in diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicle systems commands the highest rates.
Automotive Technician salary by city.
Skills that increase Automotive Technician pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Automotive Technicians based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $7,000 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$7,000 per year
≈ +$6,500 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$5,500 per year
≈ +$5,500 per year
≈ +$5,000 per year
≈ +$5,000 per year
≈ +$4,500 per year
What you should know.
ASE Master Technician certification adds 15 to 20% to earnings, while specialization in diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicle systems commands the highest rates. Dealership technicians working on luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche earn 20 to 30% more than independent shop techs. Flat-rate pay structures mean faster, more experienced techs earn disproportionately more.
Lube technicians and trainees start at $28,000 to $35,000, advancing to general technician at $38,000 to $52,000 in two to three years. Master technicians earn $55,000 to $75,000, while service managers and shop foremen reach $70,000 to $100,000 at busy dealerships or fleet operations.
Flat-rate bonuses can add $5,000 to $15,000 annually for efficient technicians. Dealerships often provide manufacturer training, tool purchase programs, and uniform allowances. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 due to persistent technician shortages.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Automotive Technicians typically earn $49,000 (3% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Automotive Technician pay.
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