Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Also called: Auto Mechanic (Automotive Mechanic), Auto Service Tech (Automotive Service Technician), Auto Tech (Automotive Technician), Service Technician (Service Tech)Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 3 of its 30 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 5.0% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.3% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 9.1 hires for every 10 job openings in retail trade, which employs about 48% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.9.1 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,640 | $37,050 to $61,560 | 9,040 |
| Alaska | $60,840 | $49,340 to $79,560 | 1,420 |
| Arizona | $49,570 | $37,760 to $65,360 | 16,400 |
| Arkansas | $44,160 | $35,760 to $57,910 | 7,310 |
| California | $64,980 | $46,580 to $77,060 | 65,420 |
| Colorado | $61,280 | $46,170 to $78,300 | 12,300 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 | $45,410 to $74,500 | 6,960 |
| Delaware | $58,410 | $45,830 to $71,750 | 1,910 |
| District of Columbia | $68,660 | $56,530 to $78,770 | 310 |
| Florida | $48,260 | $37,040 to $62,990 | 49,930 |
| Georgia | $49,060 | $37,740 to $65,530 | 22,070 |
| Guam | $39,220 | $29,460 to $48,120 | 220 |
| Hawaii | $52,160 | $39,520 to $67,160 | 2,710 |
| Idaho | $48,420 | $39,590 to $62,660 | 5,030 |
| Illinois | $49,170 | $38,310 to $73,640 | 29,510 |
| Indiana | $49,360 | $38,500 to $62,710 | 16,480 |
| Iowa | $50,510 | $39,340 to $67,200 | 7,610 |
| Kansas | $47,790 | $38,150 to $63,000 | 6,240 |
| Kentucky | $44,890 | $35,980 to $59,990 | 11,140 |
| Louisiana | $46,400 | $36,900 to $62,060 | 8,620 |
| Maine | $52,040 | $46,040 to $61,970 | 3,390 |
| Maryland | $57,520 | $40,500 to $76,340 | 14,230 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 | $45,560 to $78,560 | 12,710 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | $43,680 to $67,100 | 22,280 |
| Minnesota | $58,390 | $46,620 to $73,250 | 11,980 |
| Mississippi | $37,820 | $32,630 to $55,000 | 7,410 |
| Missouri | $49,160 | $38,420 to $63,240 | 17,210 |
| Montana | $58,740 | $47,230 to $72,270 | 2,900 |
| Nebraska | $50,560 | $42,580 to $62,710 | 4,560 |
| Nevada | $48,290 | $38,870 to $73,790 | 7,420 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 | $46,600 to $73,010 | 4,840 |
| New Jersey | $56,610 | $40,030 to $75,410 | 17,640 |
| New Mexico | $47,300 | $36,500 to $63,050 | 5,080 |
| New York | $54,120 | $45,550 to $73,320 | 32,020 |
| North Carolina | $48,200 | $36,600 to $63,170 | 26,510 |
| North Dakota | $57,360 | $43,330 to $63,560 | 2,140 |
| Ohio | $48,710 | $37,200 to $63,840 | 22,640 |
| Oklahoma | $46,560 | $36,110 to $64,260 | 8,870 |
| Oregon | $58,520 | $47,780 to $77,780 | 6,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,800 | $40,010 to $62,780 | 29,400 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,680 | $21,840 to $28,780 | 3,800 |
| Rhode Island | $51,770 | $37,930 to $62,400 | 2,530 |
| South Carolina | $48,100 | $37,430 to $63,610 | 13,420 |
| South Dakota | $51,160 | $44,790 to $61,610 | 2,010 |
| Tennessee | $50,290 | $38,300 to $63,790 | 16,210 |
| Texas | $48,310 | $36,650 to $62,270 | 69,750 |
| Utah | $46,570 | $37,140 to $62,400 | 9,350 |
| Vermont | $51,630 | $47,700 to $62,570 | 1,610 |
| Virgin Islands | $39,170 | $31,970 to $54,560 | 120 |
| Virginia | $59,330 | $45,080 to $76,540 | 17,880 |
| Washington | $57,270 | $45,740 to $76,960 | 12,930 |
| West Virginia | $37,660 | $35,130 to $49,740 | 4,490 |
| Wisconsin | $54,350 | $44,550 to $69,570 | 12,270 |
| Wyoming | $51,330 | $41,480 to $64,500 | 1,560 |
Nationally: $50,620. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 3 of its 30 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made. | Not published |
| Not much | Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain cleanliness of work area. | Not published |
| Not much | Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications. | Not published |
See all 30 tasks
| Not much | Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices. | Not published |
| AI alone | Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes. | Not published |
| AI + software | Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters. | Not published |
| Not much | Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning. | Not published |
| Not much | Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages. | Not published |
| Not much | Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. | Not published |
| Not much | Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges. | Not published |
| Not much | Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience. | 0.03% |
| Not much | Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines. | Not published |
| Not much | Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings. | Not published |
| Not much | Align vehicles' front ends. | Not published |
| Not much | Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels. | Not published |
| Not much | Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps. | Not published |
| Not much | Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements. | Not published |
| Not much | Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair or rebuild transmissions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Estimate costs of vehicle repair. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks. | Not published |
| Not much | Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems. | Not published |
| Not much | Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, and friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 3 of the 30 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 30 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #42 Diagnose system or equipment problems
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair tools or equipment | |||
| Repair vehicle components | |||
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Assemble equipment or components | |||
| Maintain vehicles in working condition | |||
| Test performance of equipment or systems | |||
| Disassemble equipment | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly |
Show all 21 activities
| Inspect vehicles | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Diagnose system or equipment problems | |||
| Plan work activities | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Communicate with others about operational plans or activities | |||
| Maintain facilities or equipment | |||
| Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Operate transportation equipment or vehicles | |||
| Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A plan or strategy37%
- Advice or a recommendation12%
- A document or report9%
- An explanation or answer6%
- Configuration or infrastructure6%
How they worked with Claude
41% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for automotive service technicians and mechanics specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 113,800 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 4%
- 3 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 3%
- 4 First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers High +4.1% 3%
- 5 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 91,431 moves in
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 2 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 3%
- 3 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 3%
- 4 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 3%
- 5 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers High -3.7% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 15% less than high school
- 45% high school
- 22% some college
- 13% associate's
- 5% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 8,599 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
8 programs, such as Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician, Motorsports Engineering Technology/Technician and Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General.
See all
- Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
- Motorsports Engineering Technology/Technician
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
- Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Technology/Technician
- Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician
- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician
- High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
89.8% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 9.1% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 17.4% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | 6.4% | 2.8% |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 18 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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