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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The national median tells one story. The city-level data tells a dozen. The national median salary for Automotive Technicians in 2026 is $51,504, with entry-level positions averaging $37,082 and senior roles reaching $73,135. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Santa Clara pays a median of $95,867, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Automotive Technician sits at the intersection of Installation & Maintenance and Skilled Trades. Most professionals enter with Postsecondary certificate, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is shop-based. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$55,906 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Automotive Technician in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $95,867 — $55,906 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,961). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The salary distribution for Automotive Technicians reveals a $36,053 spread from entry to senior. At $51,504, the median sits $28,863 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $37,082 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $73,135 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $90,745 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $40,943 (average of the bottom 3). That $49,802 delta is real money — $4,150/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Automotive Technician in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $95,867 — $55,906 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,961). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $37,082 | $51,504 | $73,135 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £21,649 | £30,067 | £42,695 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$33,133 | CA$46,019 | CA$65,347 |
| Australia | 13 | A$40,497 | A$56,246 | A$79,870 |
| Sweden | 24 | 227,114 kr | 315,437 kr | 447,920 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $47,106 | $65,425 | $92,904 |
| California | 61 | $42,323 | $58,782 | $83,471 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $40,800 | $56,667 | $80,467 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $39,730 | $55,181 | $78,357 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $38,687 | $53,732 | $76,299 |
| Washington | 8 | $37,913 | $52,657 | $74,772 |
| Oregon | 5 | $37,490 | $52,069 | $73,938 |
| Colorado | 11 | $37,292 | $51,795 | $73,548 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $37,272 | $51,767 | $73,509 |
| New York | 5 | $37,093 | $51,519 | $73,156 |
| Illinois | 5 | $37,010 | $51,403 | $72,992 |
| Nevada | 5 | $36,585 | $50,813 | $72,155 |
| Virginia | 7 | $36,565 | $50,784 | $72,114 |
| Idaho | 3 | $36,564 | $50,784 | $72,113 |
| Utah | 4 | $36,260 | $50,362 | $71,513 |
| Florida | 22 | $36,226 | $50,314 | $71,446 |
| Arizona | 12 | $36,191 | $50,265 | $71,376 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $36,147 | $50,205 | $71,290 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $35,730 | $49,625 | $70,467 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $35,486 | $49,287 | $69,987 |
| Michigan | 6 | $35,446 | $49,230 | $69,907 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $35,428 | $49,206 | $69,872 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $35,354 | $49,103 | $69,726 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $34,790 | $48,320 | $68,614 |
| Alaska | 1 | $34,790 | $48,320 | $68,614 |
| Iowa | 2 | $34,790 | $48,320 | $68,614 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $34,790 | $48,320 | $68,614 |
| Montana | 1 | $34,790 | $48,320 | $68,614 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $34,315 | $47,660 | $67,677 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $34,268 | $47,595 | $67,585 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $34,264 | $47,590 | $67,577 |
| Texas | 40 | $34,218 | $47,525 | $67,485 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $34,103 | $47,366 | $67,259 |
| Georgia | 6 | $34,008 | $47,233 | $67,071 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $33,964 | $47,173 | $66,985 |
| Indiana | 3 | $33,874 | $47,048 | $66,807 |
| Alabama | 5 | $33,496 | $46,523 | $66,062 |
| Ohio | 6 | $33,422 | $46,420 | $65,916 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $33,399 | $46,387 | $65,870 |
| Maryland | 1 | $33,364 | $46,339 | $65,801 |
| Missouri | 4 | $33,338 | $46,303 | $65,749 |
| Kansas | 4 | $33,260 | $46,194 | $65,596 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $33,121 | $46,001 | $65,321 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $32,947 | $45,759 | $64,978 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $30,825 | $42,812 | $60,793 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $29,398 | $40,830 | $57,979 |
At the state level, Hawaii leads with an average Automotive Technician median of $65,425 across 1 cities, followed by California ($58,782) and Massachusetts ($56,667). Entry-level numbers tell a different story: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska — offer medians between $40,830 and $45,759. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Santa Clara ($95,867 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $48,418 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $70,789 | 146 | $48,486 | $45,332 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $95,867 | 198 | $48,418 | $59,639 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $73,108 | 151 | $48,416 | $49,799 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $81,806 | 169 | $48,406 | $51,617 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $85,671 | 177 | $48,402 | $53,822 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $89,054 | 184 | $48,399 | $55,752 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $81,757 | 169 | $48,377 | $62,463 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $77,747 | 161 | $48,290 | $49,302 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $70,982 | 147 | $48,287 | $45,442 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $70,499 | 146 | $48,287 | $45,167 |
The $36,053 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Automotive Technician career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Skilled Trades sector, steady, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Automotive Technicians is $51,504 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $37,082, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $73,135.
The highest-paying city for Automotive Technicians is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $95,867. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($95,867), Irvine ($89,054), San Francisco ($87,314). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Automotive Technician salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $39,961. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Automotive Technicians (10th percentile) average $37,082 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $69,024. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Automotive Technicians average $73,135 nationally — $36,053 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Automotive Technicians can earn up to $136,131.
The top-paying states for Automotive Technicians are Hawaii ($65,425 median), California ($58,782 median), Massachusetts ($56,667 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Automotive Technician involves Postsecondary certificate. The field is in the Skilled Trades sector (Installation & Maintenance), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically shop-based.
With a national median of $51,504 and representation across 288 metro areas, Automotive Technician offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $36,053 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.