The median annual wage of automotive service technicians and mechanics was $35,790 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,200, and the top 10 percent earned more than $59,590.
In May 2010, median annual wages in industries employing the largest numbers of automotive service technicians and mechanics were as follows:
| Local government | $44,340 |
| Automobile dealers | 40,650 |
| Automotive repair and maintenance | 33,010 |
| Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores | 31,160 |
Many experienced technicians working for automobile dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer. Under this system, weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed in addition to a guaranteed minimum salary.
Most service technicians work full time, and many work evenings or weekends. Overtime is common.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition