California Median
$64,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#2 of 51
65,420 employed here
How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make in California?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics working in California earn a median salary of $64,980 per year, or about $31.24 per hour. That is 28% above the national median of $50,620 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,180 while the top 10% make $95,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,580 and $77,060 a year.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,580 | $22.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,980 | $31.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,060 | $37.05 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,280 | $45.81 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in other states
District of Columbia $68,660Colorado $61,280Alaska $60,840Massachusetts $60,760Connecticut $60,220Virginia $59,330New Hampshire $59,020Montana $58,740Oregon $58,520Delaware $58,410Minnesota $58,390Maryland $57,520North Dakota $57,360Washington $57,270New Jersey $56,610Wisconsin $54,350Michigan $54,120New York $54,120Hawaii $52,160Maine $52,040Rhode Island $51,770Vermont $51,630Wyoming $51,330South Dakota $51,160Nebraska $50,560Iowa $50,510Tennessee $50,290Pennsylvania $49,800Arizona $49,570Indiana $49,360Illinois $49,170Missouri $49,160Georgia $49,060Ohio $48,710Idaho $48,420Texas $48,310Nevada $48,290Florida $48,260North Carolina $48,200South Carolina $48,100Kansas $47,790New Mexico $47,300Utah $46,570Oklahoma $46,560Louisiana $46,400Alabama $45,640Kentucky $44,890Arkansas $44,160Mississippi $37,820West Virginia $37,660
Working as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in California
Nationally, about 705,000 people work as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($64,980) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make in California?
The median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in California is $64,980 per year, or about $31.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,180 at the entry level to $95,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics about 28% more than the national median of $50,620. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,980 a year. About 65,420 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.