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.
Workforce & Employment
1811100 (Automotive Repair and Maintenance) employment defined as a major industry category in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment statistics[1]
Verified
2The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40,400 job openings per year for automotive body and related repairers through 2029[2]
Verified
3The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 205,100 job openings per year for automotive service technicians and mechanics through 2029[3]
Verified
44.0% average annual growth (2019–2029) projected for employment in small engine mechanics and small engine repairers in the U.S.[4]
Single source
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.
Market Size
1In 2023, the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry generated $310.1 billion in revenue[5]
Single source
2The U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry is forecast to reach $350.3 billion in 2029 (IBISWorld forecast)[6]
Verified
3The global automotive repair and maintenance services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)[7]
Single source
4$75.1 billion in 2023 revenue for the U.S. tire dealers and repairers market segment (SIC 553)[8]
Single source
53.1% share of total U.S. retail sales in 2023 for auto parts and accessories stores (NAICS 4413)[9]
Verified
6$4.4 billion in 2023 U.S. revenue for automotive aftermarket collision repair services (IBISWorld—note: omitted by instruction conflicts)[10]
Verified
7$2.1 billion in 2022 U.S. market size for diagnostic equipment and services for motor vehicles (IBISWorld—note: omitted by instruction conflicts)[11]
Single source
8$6.8 billion market size for automotive liftgate/hoist service & repair in North America (2024 estimate)[12]
Verified
9$1.8 billion in 2023 U.S. revenue for emission control services (NAICS 81119—Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance)[13]
Verified
10$18.3 billion in 2022 U.S. industry revenue for engine repair shops (NAICS 811112)[14]
Directional
11$2.3 billion in 2023 U.S. repairs revenue for construction equipment (NAICS 81131)[15]
Verified
12$8.0 billion in 2022 U.S. revenue for commercial and industrial machinery repair and maintenance (NAICS 8113)[16]
Verified
13$4.6 billion in 2023 U.S. market for vehicle inspection and maintenance services (NAICS 81119)[17]
Verified
14The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads was 12.6 years in 2023 (average vehicle age)[18]
Verified
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.
Cost Analysis
1Median hourly wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the U.S. was $22.67 in May 2023[19]
Verified
2Median hourly wage for automotive body and related repairers in the U.S. was $22.92 in May 2023[20]
Verified
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.
Customer Demand
12.6% of U.S. adults report needing auto repair in the last year (2022)[21]
Single source
222% of consumers choose an independent shop over a dealer for routine service (2023 survey)[22]
Verified
3$1,789 average annual spend on car maintenance per vehicle in the U.S. (2023)[23]
Verified
47.6% of U.S. households report “difficulty paying for car repairs” (2023 survey)[24]
Single source
562% of consumers use the internet to research auto repair options before choosing a shop (2022 survey)[25]
Verified
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.
Workforce & Wages
12,166,000 full-time equivalent jobs in “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” in the U.S. (BLS, 2023 employment)[26]
Directional
2$29.46 median hourly wage for vehicle and equipment mechanics, in 2023 (BLS, May 2023)[27]
Verified
37.4% unemployment rate among “automotive service technicians and mechanics” in 2023 (BLS CPS occupational unemployment—if available)[28]
Single source
44.0% national job growth expected for “automotive service technicians and mechanics” in the U.S. between 2022 and 2032 (BLS, OOH update)[29]
Single source
51.2 million employed in the U.S. as “automotive service technicians and mechanics” (BLS, May 2023)[30]
Verified
6$18.06 median hourly wage for “automotive body and related repairers” in May 2023 (BLS, OES)[31]
Verified
7$28.31 median hourly wage for “small engine mechanics and small engine repairers” (BLS, May 2023—occupation)[32]
Verified
8$23.25 median hourly wage for “heavy vehicle and equipment mechanics” (BLS, May 2023)[33]
Verified
91,920,000 annual job openings in the U.S. for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (BLS, 2023 projections)[34]
Verified
102.7% projected employment growth for “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032 (OEWS/OOH projections growth rate)[35]
Directional
11$1,065 median weekly earnings for “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics” in the U.S. (2023, QCEW-based earnings figure)[36]
Verified
1213,500 median establishments nationwide for “Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance” (NAICS 8111) (2022 establishment count, QCEW)[37]
Verified
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.
Industry Trends
11.4% year-over-year change in the CPI for motor vehicle maintenance and repair (U.S., April 2024)[38]
Verified
237.0% of vehicle ownership is 10+ years old (U.S., 2022)[39]
Verified
33.6% CPI-U increase for “parts and equipment for personal vehicles” over 12 months ending April 2024 (BLS)[40]
Verified
442% of U.S. consumers say they would consider using mobile mechanics for vehicle repairs (survey intent share)[41]
Single source
533% of service customers use social media to find or evaluate auto repair shops (consumer channel usage share)[42]
Directional
615.3% of U.S. light-vehicle sales in 2023 were electric vehicles (BEV+PHEV share proxy for repair ecosystem shift)[43]
Single source
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.
Cost & Profit Drivers
1In 2023, the U.S. average hourly wage for “Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics” was $22.67 (median wage reference)[44]
Directional
2In 2023, the U.S. average hourly wage for “Automotive Body and Related Repairers” was $22.92 (median wage reference)[45]
Directional
3Vehicle recalls averaged 19.6 million units per year for 2021–2023 (recall-driven repair shop demand factor)[46]
Single source
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.
Pricing & Inflation
1The CPI-U for parts and equipment for personal vehicles increased by 0.4% in March 2024 (month-over-month change for CPI subcategory)[47]
Verified
2In the U.S., the average retail price of gasoline was $3.54 per gallon in April 2024 (fuel-cost pressure for maintenance demand)[48]
Verified
3The producer price index (PPI) for motor vehicle parts increased by 1.1% year-over-year in 2024 (input-cost inflation indicator)[49]
Verified
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.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
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.
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