The Average Wage Of A Mechanic In Different States
When searching for a new career, a few factors to keep in mind are the salary and the cost of living. While the salary offered for a mechanic in some states are higher, the cost of living can quickly eat up earnings. Below we’ll go over the average salary of mechanics by industry, experience and state, and a career overview.
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Mechanic Career Overview
Mechanics work in places from car dealerships, airports, automotive parts stores, or work in automotive shops. Automotive service technicians repair and maintain several types of vehicles, while diesel service technicians only care for vehicles with a diesel engine.
Auto mechanics are vital for keeping vehicles in good running order, from changing the air filter, and servicing the brakes, to even replacing the oil in the vehicle. A quality mechanic helps make operating a vehicle safer when people commute to and from work, go on road trips, or even visit friends and family.
How To Become A Mechanic
After finishing high school, those interested in becoming a mechanic typically seek out a vocational school that offers the additional training they need. With hands-on experience, it takes anywhere between two to five years to become a fully-trained automotive technician.
Automotive technicians who will deal with refrigerants must earn a license from the Environmental Protection Agency to prove that they can prevent the release of refrigerants while they are servicing a vehicle and what to do and what not to do when working with refrigerants.
Pros Of Being A Mechanic
There are several benefits of becoming an automotive mechanic. One such pro is that vocational school or a community college doesn’t cost anywhere as much as a university, which means that the potential mechanic doesn’t have to worry about student loans. If the person joins an apprenticeship to become a mechanic, the apprenticeship pays them while they learn.
Another pro of becoming a mechanic is that if the person is chasing their passion, the more satisfaction they find in their work and the more energy they have. Following one’s passion makes a person more willing to learn, and they’re more likely to do a better job in their profession.
Mechanic Salary By Industry
Of course, mechanics have different salaries based on their industries. For example, the median hourly wage for those in the aerospace manufacturing industry is $36.76 per hour, while automotive mechanics who work at gas stations earn an average of $20.74 per hour.
Mechanic Salary By Experience
Naturally, more experienced mechanics have a higher pay rate than those with little to no experience e working as a mechanic. The average wage for someone with 20 or more years of experience is $24.44, while the average wage of someone just starting out would earn almost $13 per hour.
Mechanic Salary By State
Mechanic salaries also vary by state. A mechanic working in Alabama has a median hourly wage of $24.07, while someone living in Florida would earn an average of $27.17 per hour. A mechanic should also keep in mind the cost of living when searching for a mechanic job. Before accepting a job, compare the wages to the information you find about how much a mechanic in your area and industry that has your experience earns.
If you are interested in working with automobiles, then auto mechanic school is the place for you. The Universal Technical Institute is the nation’s leading ACCSC-accredited provider of training for automotive, motorcycle, and marine technicians.
