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Salary

Average annual salary (IL): $50,450

Average annual salary (Chicago-area): $58,340 

 

Career Outlook

Automotive technician is a high-demand profession as retirements and increasing want for specialized skills drive hiring needs up nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be over 70,000 job openings per year between 2024 and 2034.

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Salary data from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.)

Union / Non-Union Shops

Auto technicians may work in unionized or non-unionized shops with the majority going to non-unionized positions. In the Chicago area, union members join IAM Local 701

 

Dealerships / Independent Shops

Automotive technicians find  employment and positive career opportunities working for dealerships as well as independent shops. Dealership mechanics specialize in their daily work as well as their ongoing training. Independent shop mechanics often work on a more diverse range of automobiles.

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Entrepreneur 

Some automotive technicians build their knowledge and skills early in their career, and then go on to open their own shop or enter into franchise ownership (e.g. Midas, Jiffy Lube, AAMCO)

Automotive technicians typically need to obtain additional education after high school through a program in automotive service technology. These programs may be found at:

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• Community Colleges

• Trade Schools

 

On-the-job training is common, especially early in one's career. Specialized training is encouraged and sometimes offered directly through a manufacturer-sponsored program.

 

For further info, see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and H2: How to Train for Industry Demands (from Automotive Mechanic Job Outlook 2026)
 

 The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers industry recognized certification tests. ASE certification can be very helpful for hire at some shops, though not strictly required. ASE certification is often beneficial for promotion and higher pay. ASE test are considered highly challenging (many do not pass on the first try) and signify advanced skills and knowledge.

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Automotive technicians can take certification tests in individual areas of automotive repair as their training and preparation advance. Officially recognized ASE Master Technician status is awarded after passing all 8 required tests (A1-A8) in the Automobile & Light Truck series.