do car mechanics make good money?

Question

i know it depends on where you live, but how much do they usually make in your area?

Answer 1

Wow, some interesting answers here.
Truthfully, it does depend on where you are working and how good you are. The last job I had before I opened my own business I was being paid $27 a book hour in an area where the median household income is $36k a year. That's pretty good money. But I've been in the game for 20 years, and I'm an ASE Master L1, which is about as qualified as you can get.
The fact is for every 10 techs that retire, only 3 are entering the field, which means you have the potential for making a lot of money if you are really commited. Before too long, you will need at least an Associates degree in electronics to get in to it, and then there is apprenticeship and buying tools before you really start to make money. If you decide to get in to it, and really go after it, you can make very good money. But if you are looking to get in for easy money with little effort, look elsewhere. Statistics show that a Master tech who has been in the field for 12 years has more technical training than your family doctor. This is not a fall back career anymore. I'm looking at paying salaries twice the local median income within the next 5 years to guys who really know what they are doing. I'm currently making the transition from mechanic to business owner (I'm both right now) and want to train one more guy before I get out of the shop altogether. For people who are serious about this as a career, there is very good money in it.

Answer 2

Do Mechanics Make Good Money

Answer 3

Depends. You might be a $10-$15 per hour one at a mom n pop shop, oil change place, Midas, etc. You might make $40-$60k working at a more upscale place or a basic dealership. Or you can make an easy 6 figures if you are specialized in say BMW, Lexus, etc. If you become a head tech of such dealers, then the pay goes up even more, along with perks and benefits.

The fact you get dirty turns many off, like the first guy with the comment of "stay in school". If we don't have mechanics and all the other "grunt" workers, those going to school have no one to take care of them nor build what they dream up.

Money is not happiness in life. Do what you love. If you do that, the money will come naturally as the passion will come through in your work.

Answer 4

I agree with many of the answers as far as location is the big one. If you're from a small city like I am, then the competition is heavy for independent shops; but dealership technician make fair pay. Most independent shops may not offer benefits such as franchises and dealerships, but experience is the key. I have a Associates in Science degree and my major was Advance Transportation Technologies. If you're great in electrical and can diagnose electrical issues in dealing with modern day vehicles, then you can make a decent living in this profession. Anyone can turn a wrench and loosen some bolts, but diagnostics along with working swift and efficient is how you make it in this field. The most important thing to remember about being automotive technician is having patience and paying close attention to detail, because you don't want to waste time on flat rate commission doing the job wrong when it should have been corrected the first time. Many mistakes will cause you to starve on flat rate if you're not getting paid on straight time. You will do well only if you have a passion for satisfying customers, love for vehicles and motivated to make $$$....

Answer 5

Damn, my fellow US mechanics are getting some pretty good money! The award wage in Australia is floating around the $15AU mark for a qualified mechanic, but obviously goes up on experience and location. It's hard work though and the trade is slowly but surely dying. The real money to be made here is remote site mechanical at mine sites, fantastic money but terrible conditions.

Answer 6

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RE:
do car mechanics make good money?
i know it depends on where you live, but how much do they usually make in your area?

Answer 7

some garages pay by flat rate plus guarantee you a few hours per week. Flat rate is if a job in their manual calls for 5 hours they pay you for 5 hours whether you do it in 10 hours or one hour. So as you see there is excellent money to be made if you are good and efficient and the garage has a good reputation and business.

Answer 8

stay in school this trade is getting more technical everyday and its only going to get worst. with out a good education how do you expect to make the big bucks. knowledge is the key in my life i have made as much as 100,000 a year but it was the knowledge that made the difference. so stay in school and read everything you can get your hands on about the newer computer technology and new things coming to market . did you know they now have an engine that runs on compressed air. and another that is hydrogen powered this is what I'm talking about and he who has the knowledge wins

Answer 9

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very poor money unless you own your own business. if you like mechanics try looking at fitting in the power indestry very good money and very interesting. i was a mechanic and changed careers and know lots of lads who did the same.

Answer 10

Not only does it depend on where you live, it also depends on the "shop" you work at, the "line" of cars you work on, and your experience level. After that, your certification level will have an impact on your pay.
In my area, that can mean any wear from 30K to over 100K.
I used to be a General Mgr. of a dealership and we had guys with that varying pay scale.