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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs. First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers out-earn Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics by $29K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics land at $50,620 and First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers at $79,860. The education gap is real: automotive service technicians and mechanic programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics is District of Columbia ($68,660); for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers it's Alaska ($98,110).

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Median salary
$50,620
$79,860
Hourly rate
$24.34/hr
$38.39/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$34,660
$49,600
Senior level (90th %)
$81,790
$126,790
Education required
Postsecondary nondegree award
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
704,640
617,500
Job growth (10-year)
4.2%
3.1%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics median pay.

State
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
District of Columbia
$68,660
$83,460
California
$64,980
$93,660
Colorado
$61,280
$83,260
Alaska
$60,840
$98,110
Massachusetts
$60,760
$92,250
Connecticut
$60,220
$94,050
New Hampshire
$59,020
$87,560
Oregon
$58,520
$86,970
Minnesota
$58,390
$87,160
North Dakota
$57,360
$90,600
Washington
$57,270
$94,420
New Jersey
$56,610
$92,680
New York
$54,120
$91,150
Hawaii
$52,160
$87,550
Wyoming
$51,330
$87,460

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers?

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers earn more nationally. The median is $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics versus $79,860 for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers, a difference of $29K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers?

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has the better 10-year outlook at 4.2% projected growth, compared to 3.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers?

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics at $68,660/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs. First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn $68,660 vs. $83,460 for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers by take-home payExplore →How to become a automotive service technicians and mechanicsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersGuide →