Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

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

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

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Alaska
$98,110
$60,840
Washington
$94,420
$57,270
Connecticut
$94,050
$60,220
California
$93,660
$64,980
Massachusetts
$92,250
$60,760
North Dakota
$90,600
$57,360
New Hampshire
$87,560
$59,020
Minnesota
$87,160
$58,390
Oregon
$86,970
$58,520
District of Columbia
$83,460
$68,660
Colorado
$83,260
$61,280
Delaware
$83,250
$58,410
Maryland
$82,330
$57,520
Montana
$81,440
$58,740
Virginia
$80,770
$59,330

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

Common questions

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

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

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

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

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers 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 First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers get paid the most?

Alaska is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers at $98,110/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers earn $98,110 vs. $60,840 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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