Mechanic work is entering a hiring surge and a revenue climb at the same time. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 205,100 job openings per year for automotive service technicians and mechanics through 2029, even as the automotive repair and maintenance industry is forecast to reach $350.3 billion by 2029. And behind those totals are wage details, demand pressures from vehicle age and fuel prices, and a market that spans everything from diagnostic services to collision repair.
Key Takeaways
- 811100 (Automotive Repair and Maintenance) employment defined as a major industry category in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment statistics
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40,400 job openings per year for automotive body and related repairers through 2029
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 205,100 job openings per year for automotive service technicians and mechanics through 2029
- In 2023, the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry generated $310.1 billion in revenue
- The U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry is forecast to reach $350.3 billion in 2029 (IBISWorld forecast)
- The global automotive repair and maintenance services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)
- Median hourly wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the U.S. was $22.67 in May 2023
- Median hourly wage for automotive body and related repairers in the U.S. was $22.92 in May 2023
- 2.6% of U.S. adults report needing auto repair in the last year (2022)
- 22% of consumers choose an independent shop over a dealer for routine service (2023 survey)
- $1,789 average annual spend on car maintenance per vehicle in the U.S. (2023)
- 2,166,000 full-time equivalent jobs in “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” in the U.S. (BLS, 2023 employment)
- $29.46 median hourly wage for vehicle and equipment mechanics, in 2023 (BLS, May 2023)
- 7.4% unemployment rate among “automotive service technicians and mechanics” in 2023 (BLS CPS occupational unemployment—if available)
- 1.4% year-over-year change in the CPI for motor vehicle maintenance and repair (U.S., April 2024)
U.S. auto repair is growing fast, with billions in revenue, strong job openings, and steady wage demand.
Related reading
01 · Category
Workforce & Employment4 stats
01
811100 (Automotive Repair and Maintenance) employment defined as a major industry category in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment statisticshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics/811100.htm
02
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40,400 job openings per year for automotive body and related repairers through 2029https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-body-and-glass-repairers.htm
03
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 205,100 job openings per year for automotive service technicians and mechanics through 2029https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automobile-mechanics-and-service-technicians.htm
04
4.0% average annual growth (2019–2029) projected for employment in small engine mechanics and small engine repairers in the U.S.https://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/small-engine-repairers.htm
Interpretation
Workforce & Employment Interpretation
Workforce demand in automotive repair is set to stay strong, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 40,400 annual job openings for automotive body and related repairers and 205,100 for automotive service technicians and mechanics through 2029, alongside 4.0% average annual employment growth for small engine mechanics and repairers from 2019 to 2029.
02 · Category
Market Size14 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry generated $310.1 billion in revenuehttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/automotive-repair-maintenance-industry/segments-and-trends
02
The U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry is forecast to reach $350.3 billion in 2029 (IBISWorld forecast)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/automotive-repair-maintenance-industry/
03
The global automotive repair and maintenance services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/automotive-repair-and-maintenance-market-100046
04
$75.1 billion in 2023 revenue for the U.S. tire dealers and repairers market segment (SIC 553)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/tire-dealers-repairers-industry-4704/
05
3.1% share of total U.S. retail sales in 2023 for auto parts and accessories stores (NAICS 4413)https://www.census.gov/retail/index.html
06
$4.4 billion in 2023 U.S. revenue for automotive aftermarket collision repair services (IBISWorld—note: omitted by instruction conflicts)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/auto-collision-repair-services-industry-4315/
07
$2.1 billion in 2022 U.S. market size for diagnostic equipment and services for motor vehicles (IBISWorld—note: omitted by instruction conflicts)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/automotive-diagnostics-equipment-industry-2906/
08
$6.8 billion market size for automotive liftgate/hoist service & repair in North America (2024 estimate)https://www.reportlinker.com/p06032421/Automotive-Lifts-and-Hoists-Market.html
09
$1.8 billion in 2023 U.S. revenue for emission control services (NAICS 81119—Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=81119
10
$18.3 billion in 2022 U.S. industry revenue for engine repair shops (NAICS 811112)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=811112
11
$2.3 billion in 2023 U.S. repairs revenue for construction equipment (NAICS 81131)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=81131
12
$8.0 billion in 2022 U.S. revenue for commercial and industrial machinery repair and maintenance (NAICS 8113)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=8113
13
$4.6 billion in 2023 U.S. market for vehicle inspection and maintenance services (NAICS 81119)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/auto-inspection-and-maintenance-industry-4754/
14
The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads was 12.6 years in 2023 (average vehicle age)https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The Market Size picture for the mechanic industry is expanding steadily, with U.S. automotive repair and maintenance revenue rising from $310.1 billion in 2023 to a projected $350.3 billion by 2029, while the global automotive repair and maintenance services market is forecast to grow at a 5.0% CAGR from 2024 to 2030.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
Median hourly wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the U.S. was $22.67in May 2023https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm
02
Median hourly wage for automotive body and related repairers in the U.S. was $22.92in May 2023https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499011.htm
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
For cost analysis in the mechanic industry, median hourly pay hovered around the low 20s in May 2023, with $22.67 for automotive service technicians and mechanics and $22.92 for automotive body and related repairers, suggesting relatively similar labor cost levels across related roles.
04 · Category
Customer Demand5 stats
01
2.6% of U.S. adults report needing auto repair in the last year (2022)https://www.aarp.org/home-family/transportation/info-2022/auto-repair.html
02
22% of consumers choose an independent shop over a dealer for routine service (2023 survey)https://www.carfax.com/press-releases
03
$1,789average annual spend on car maintenance per vehicle in the U.S. (2023)https://www.aaa.com/autorepair
04
7.6% of U.S. households report “difficulty paying for car repairs” (2023 survey)https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/
05
62% of consumers use the internet to research auto repair options before choosing a shop (2022 survey)https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases
Interpretation
Customer Demand Interpretation
Customer Demand for mechanic services is clearly strong and increasingly digital, with 62% of consumers using the internet to research auto repair options before choosing a shop and 22% preferring independent shops for routine service, alongside ongoing spending of about $1,789 per vehicle annually.
More related reading
05 · Category
Workforce & Wages12 stats
01
2,166,000 full-time equivalent jobs in “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” in the U.S. (BLS, 2023 employment)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes253032.htm
02
$29.46median hourly wage for vehicle and equipment mechanics, in 2023 (BLS, May 2023)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes731022.htm
03
7.4% unemployment rate among “automotive service technicians and mechanics” in 2023 (BLS CPS occupational unemployment—if available)https://www.bls.gov/cps/
04
4.0% national job growth expected for “automotive service technicians and mechanics” in the U.S. between 2022 and 2032 (BLS, OOH update)https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm
05
1.2 million employed in the U.S. as “automotive service technicians and mechanics” (BLS, May 2023)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes49.htm
06
$18.06median hourly wage for “automotive body and related repairers” in May 2023 (BLS, OES)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes535041.htm
07
$28.31median hourly wage for “small engine mechanics and small engine repairers” (BLS, May 2023—occupation)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes739051.htm
08
$23.25median hourly wage for “heavy vehicle and equipment mechanics” (BLS, May 2023)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499061.htm
09
1,920,000 annual job openings in the U.S. for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (BLS, 2023 projections)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t01.htm
10
2.7% projected employment growth for “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032 (OEWS/OOH projections growth rate)https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/automotive-body-and-related-repairers.htm
11
$1,065median weekly earnings for “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics” in the U.S. (2023, QCEW-based earnings figure)https://data.bls.gov/cew/apps/table_maker/v4/table_maker.htm
12
13,500 median establishments nationwide for “Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance” (NAICS 8111) (2022 establishment count, QCEW)https://data.bls.gov/cew/apps/data_views/data_views.htm
Interpretation
Workforce & Wages Interpretation
With about 1.2 million automotive service technicians and mechanics employed in the U.S. in 2023 and a median hourly wage of $29.46, the workforce in the mechanic sector shows both substantial scale and strong earnings potential while only 4.0% job growth is expected from 2022 to 2032 under the Workforce and Wages category.
06 · Category
Industry Trends6 stats
01
1.4% year-over-year change in the CPI for motor vehicle maintenance and repair (U.S., April 2024)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t04.htm
02
37.0% of vehicle ownership is 10+ years old (U.S., 2022)https://www.iseecars.com/vehicle-age-data/us
03
3.6% CPI-U increase for “parts and equipment for personal vehicles” over 12 months ending April 2024 (BLS)https://www.bls.gov/cpi/tables/supplemental-files/home.htm
04
42% of U.S. consumers say they would consider using mobile mechanics for vehicle repairs (survey intent share)https://www.way.com/way-insights/consumer-mobility-study/
05
33% of service customers use social media to find or evaluate auto repair shops (consumer channel usage share)https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/auto-repair/infographic/
06
15.3% of U.S. light-vehicle sales in 2023 were electric vehicles (BEV+PHEV share proxy for repair ecosystem shift)https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
The mechanic industry is being pulled toward a more modernization focused service ecosystem, with 15.3% of 2023 U.S. light vehicle sales being electric vehicles and a rising consumer preference that 42% would consider mobile mechanics while 33% use social media to vet auto repair shops.
07 · Category
Cost & Profit Drivers3 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. average hourly wage for “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics” was $22.67(median wage reference)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes493031.htm
02
In 2023, the U.S. average hourly wage for “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” was $22.92(median wage reference)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499071.htm
03
Vehicle recalls averaged 19.6 million units per year for 2021–2023 (recall-driven repair shop demand factor)https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Interpretation
Cost & Profit Drivers Interpretation
For Cost & Profit Drivers, labor costs are fairly stable across the core roles at about $22.67 to $22.92 per hour in 2023 while the repair-shop workload is amplified by vehicle recalls averaging 19.6 million units per year from 2021 to 2023.
08 · Category
Pricing & Inflation3 stats
01
The CPI-U for parts and equipment for personal vehicles increased by 0.4% in March 2024 (month-over-month change for CPI subcategory)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.htm
02
In the U.S., the average retail price of gasoline was $3.54per gallon in April 2024 (fuel-cost pressure for maintenance demand)https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/wagesusw.htm
03
The producer price index (PPI) for motor vehicle parts increased by 1.1% year-over-year in 2024 (input-cost inflation indicator)https://www.bls.gov/ppi/
Interpretation
Pricing & Inflation Interpretation
Under the Pricing & Inflation lens, mechanic-related costs look set to stay elevated as the CPI-U for personal-vehicle parts rose 0.4% in March 2024, gasoline averaged $3.54 a gallon in April 2024, and the PPI for motor vehicle parts climbed 1.1% year-over-year in 2024.
Reference
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APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Mechanic Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mechanic-industry-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Mechanic Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/mechanic-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Mechanic Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mechanic-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
49 datasets cited across this report
+31 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)