Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
The median pay for a automotive service technicians and mechanics in St. Joseph, MO-KS is $45,480/year ($21.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $27K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 86.38), which stretches that salary to about $52,651 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,077/month — about 34.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in St. Joseph?
About automotive service technicians and mechanics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, St. Joseph, MO-KS
Entry-level automotive service technicians and mechanics (10th percentile) start around $27K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $74K or more - a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71K | +43% | 270 |
| California | $63K | +28% | 62,110 |
| Alaska | $62K | +25% | 1,390 |
| New Hampshire | $58K | +18% | 4,510 |
| Washington | $58K | +16% | 13,740 |
| Maryland | $58K | +16% | 14,310 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 12,390 |
| Minnesota | $57K | +16% | 13,500 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 16,820 |
| Montana | $57K | +15% | 2,720 |
| Oregon | $57K | +14% | 6,900 |
| Virginia | $56K | +13% | 17,740 |
| Connecticut | $56K | +13% | 6,630 |
| New York | $52K | +4% | 31,790 |
| North Dakota | $51K | +3% | 1,850 |
Track automotive service technicians and mechanics salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when St. Joseph numbers change.
Related careers in Repair & Maintenance
Frequently asked questions
How much do automotive service technicians and mechanics make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median is $45,480 a year - that works out to about $21.86 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,220, and experienced automotive service technicians and mechanics can clear $73,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in St. Joseph?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,101/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 34.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a automotive service technicians and mechanics salary go in St. Joseph?
St. Joseph has a Regional Price Parity of 86.38 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median automotive service technicians and mechanics salary is worth about $52,651 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do automotive service technicians and mechanics get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.