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Salary comparison

Commercial Divers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Who Earns More?

Commercial Diverss out-earn Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by $22K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Commercial Diverss land at $72,990 and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss at $50,620. The education gap is real: commercial diver programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while automotive service technicians and mechanic programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Commercial Diverss is Washington ($161,800); for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss it's District of Columbia ($68,660).

Commercial Divers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median salary
$72,990
$50,620
Hourly rate
$35.09/hr
$24.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$43,330
$34,660
Senior level (90th %)
$157,790
$81,790
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
3,450
704,640
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
4%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Commercial Divers median pay.

State
Commercial Divers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Washington
$161,800
$57,270
New York
$157,800
$54,120
Rhode Island
$126,320
$51,770
California
$101,540
$64,980
Hawaii
$95,750
$52,160
New Jersey
$86,920
$56,610
Arizona
$85,990
$49,570
Vermont
$85,780
$51,630
Indiana
$83,510
$49,360
Maine
$74,610
$52,040
Missouri
$63,030
$49,160
Virginia
$62,340
$59,330
Connecticut
$59,690
$60,220
Michigan
$54,620
$54,120
Texas
$46,490
$48,310

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Commercial Diverss or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss?

Commercial Diverss earn more nationally. The median is $72,990 for Commercial Diverss versus $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss, a difference of $22K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Commercial Divers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Commercial Divers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Commercial Divers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Commercial Diverss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Commercial Diverss at $161,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Commercial Divers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Commercial Diverss earn $161,800 vs. $57,270 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Commercial Divers salary breakdownView →Full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary breakdownView →Best cities for Commercial Diverss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by take-home payExplore →How to become a commercial diversGuide →How to become a automotive service technicians and mechanicsGuide →