How Much Does a Mechanic Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$50,620
Mechanics in the U.S. earn a median of $50,620 a year, or $24.34 an hour. Half of mechanics earn more than $50,620 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $81,790.
Pay percentiles for mechanics
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.66 | $34,660 |
| 25th | $18.70 | $38,900 |
| 50th (median) | $24.34 | $50,620 |
| 75th | $33.86 | $70,430 |
| 90th | $39.32 | $81,790 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (SOC 49-3023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for mechanics
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,660 | $33.01 | +36% |
| California | $64,980 | $31.24 | +28% |
| Colorado | $61,280 | $29.46 | +21% |
| Alaska | $60,840 | $29.25 | +20% |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 | $29.21 | +20% |
| Connecticut | $60,220 | $28.95 | +19% |
| Virginia | $59,330 | $28.53 | +17% |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 | $28.38 | +17% |
| Montana | $58,740 | $28.24 | +16% |
| Oregon | $58,520 | $28.14 | +16% |
| United States | $50,620 | $24.34 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many mechanics are there?
BLS counts about 704,640 mechanics employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics”. The most jobs are in Texas (69,750), California (65,420) and Florida (49,930).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,420, higher than the median of $50,620.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,218
- Biweekly
- $1,947
- Weekly
- $973
- Daily (8 hours)
- $195
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanics make an hour?
The median hourly wage for mechanics is $24.34. The middle 50% earn between $18.70 and $33.86 an hour.
Which state pays mechanics the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for mechanics at $68,660, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for mechanics?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of mechanics earn less than $34,660 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.