How to Find the Best Mechanic Jobs in the United States in 2022

If working with your hands and repairing machinery gets your motor running — steady employment and a good variety of work opportunities await you!

In general, a mechanic is a tradesperson or technician who uses tools to build, repair, and maintain machinery. The best-known mechanic is an auto mechanic or automotive technician who works on cars. While they can work at gas stations, auto parts, accessories, and tire stores, most auto mechanics are employed by car dealerships or in the auto repair and maintenance industry.

Mechanics play a vital role in keeping our car-loving culture moving on the nation’s roads, taking care of tasks ranging from changing oil or air filters, to rebuilding engines and testing new computerized automobile systems to ensure they work properly.

Mechanics can also include professionals who look after:

• Heavy vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Small engines
• Diesel engines
• Aircraft engines
• HVACs

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2021 median pay for an automotive technician or service mechanic was $22.54 an hour or $46,880 per year. The government agency points out, “Most automotive service technicians and mechanics work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops. Although technicians often identify and fix automotive problems with computers, they commonly work with greasy parts and tools, sometimes in uncomfortable positions.”

Employers usually expect mechanics to complete a program at a post-secondary institution and obtain certifications once they start working.

Diesel service mechanics and technicians inspect, repair, and overhaul any vehicle with a diesel engine, including buses, trucks, and cars. Their 2021 median pay was $23.41 per hour or $48,690 per year, with the employment of diesel mechanics expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030. The best job prospects will go to those mechanics who’ve completed post-secondary training in diesel mechanics, including engine repair.

Depending on the industry an auto mechanic works in and where they’re located, mechanic salaries can vary quite a bit. For example, the 2021 mean wage for mechanics working in automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores was $41,240, compared to $56,040 for mechanics with government jobs (excluding schools and hospitals).

New automotive mechanics will have a variety of entry-level jobs that typically have them performing the same tasks repeatedly so they can learn to fine-tune their skills. People trying to break into the automotive technician role also have the option of learning mechanic skills at a trade school or getting an automotive technology degree.

YourMechanic offers a list of the best entry-level job titles for mechanics, including:

• Entry-level technician. An entry-level technician has strong basic mechanic knowledge but needs to learn more to handle a greater variety of jobs with in-depth skills. For example, they might know how to repair and replace brakes and AC and heating systems but need to learn more about advanced diagnostics and complex engine repairs.
• Mechanic’s assistant. Shadowing a mechanic can teach you a lot because your job description includes basic duties, such as putting air in tires, cleaning parts and vehicles, and dealing with customers.
• Brake technician. As someone looking after the most vital safety feature in any vehicle, you’ll learn how to change rotors, discs, pads, and all about ABS systems, parking brakes, and much more.
• Oil and fluid change technician. This is probably the most common entry-level mechanic job and will have you spending a lot of time under the hoods of cars, changing oil, wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and, in some cases, brake fluid. You may also wind up doing safety inspections.
• Air conditioning and heating mechanic. Learning the ins and outs of repairing and maintaining these important automotive systems is a good stepping stone to a more advanced mechanic position.
• Electrical system specialist. As a specialist, you’ll get to refine your skills dealing with a vehicle’s electrical components, which will be very helpful when you become a general mechanic.
• Battery mechanic. These mechanics often work for tow companies and assist drivers whose cars won’t start because of battery issues. Jump-starting vehicles and assessing, repairing, and replacing batteries are what they do.
• Tire repair technician. Not only will you repair, change, and rotate tires, but you’ll also learn about doing wheel alignments. You might also find yourself working with shocks and brakes since tire shops often offer other mechanic services.
• Parts specialist. Working in a parts department enables a newbie mechanic to learn about all the components that go into a vehicle. This offers a great introduction to how cars work but will not provide much hands-on mechanic experience.
• Collision repair specialist. This position teaches a beginner a lot about how impacts can affect different car systems and parts — valuable knowledge to have going forward in a career as a mechanic.

Some mechanics with specialized knowledge or those who work in critical industries do command higher wages that are considered an outlier. Remember that median pay might vary by location, as automotive technicians in Dallas will have a different median salary than those in New York City. These include the roles listed below.

2021 median pay: $31.52 per hour or $65,550 per year

These equipment and field mechanics and technicians work in hangars, repair stations, or on airfields — repairing, troubleshooting, and performing preventative maintenance on aircraft. Job opportunities in the years ahead are predicted to be good, replacing workers leaving the industry.

2021 median pay: $28.55 per hour or $59,380 per year

Wearing protective gear — such as hard hats, safety glasses, and hearing protectors — these professionals install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery. Employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance technicians, and millwrights is supposed to grow 19% from 2020 to 2030, ensuring ongoing demand.

2021 median pay: $25.85 per hour or $53,770 per year

Service technicians and heavy equipment mechanics usually work indoors in bustling repair shops, lifting heavy parts or tools, and handling messy equipment. They inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles, farming machinery, and construction equipment.

2021 median pay: $23.38 per hour or $48,630 per year

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals work in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, or factories to repair, install, and maintain heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Irregular hours and cramped workspaces are common in this role. Some states and localities require technicians to be licensed.

Prospective mechanics should have a high school diploma or equivalent, and if they wish, they can enroll in a degree or certificate program. In some areas around the country, high school students can also participate in the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) program, offering academic and practical training in automotive technology.

Many potential employers want to hire mechanics and service technicians who have completed a training program at a vocational school or community college. Some educational institutions bestow associate degrees or certificates of completion in automotive service technology. Often, service technicians get on-the-job training as part of a formal education program.

To improve future job prospects and command better pay, new service technicians often seek industry certification from organizations like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The ASE covers eight specialty areas for auto mechanics, including engine restoration, heating and air conditioning, electrical structures, brake systems, and steering.

Employer training for mechanics usually goes on for a couple of months.

If you’re a job seeker looking for a full-time or part-time mechanic position, Joblist has everything you’ll require to jump-start your career. With a team that comes from companies like Google, Facebook, and ZipRecruiter, Joblist has used its deep experience in technology and job hunting to create a work search platform that is both easy to use and powerful, returning lists of job alerts curated to your individual needs.

Whether you are a recent graduate or have several years’ experience working as a mechanic, Joblist offers the tools you need to tune up your search.