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Automotive Technician Job Outlook for 2025 & Beyond

June 16, 2025

If you’re someone who’d rather be working under a hood than sitting behind a desk, you’re not alone. A growing number of people are stepping away from the college route and looking toward skilled trades, especially in the automotive world. 

Whether you’re just out of high school, thinking about a career switch, or helping your child plan their future, understanding the automotive technician job outlook is a big part of making the right decision.

Let’s break down what today’s auto techs do, how much they make, where the industry is headed, and how schools like WyoTech automotive training can help you hit the ground running.

What Does an Automotive Technician Do?

Being an auto tech today is about more than oil changes and tire rotations. Yes, those things still matter, but the job has evolved. Today’s vehicles are loaded with computers, sensors, and tech that require sharp diagnostic skills and a strong grasp of electrical systems.

Here’s a quick look at what an automotive technician career path typically includes:

  • Diagnosing engine performance issues
  • Performing routine maintenance and safety inspections
  • Working on steering, suspension, braking, and HVAC systems
  • Using scan tools and diagnostic software
  • Servicing hybrids, electric vehicles (EVs), and ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems)

It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and constantly changing, which is a big part of why many techs love it.

Automotive Technician Job Outlook (2025 & Beyond)

Is being an automotive technician a good career? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were just under 795,000 auto tech jobs in 2023, and the field is expected to grow by 3% through 2033. 

That may not sound explosive, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Here’s what’s really happening:

  • The BLS projects over 67,000 job openings per year, mostly due to retirements and people leaving the industry.
  • The TechForce Foundation reports a massive shortage of trained auto and diesel technicians. Shops, dealerships, and fleets are scrambling to find skilled workers.
  • More tech equals more demand. EVs, hybrids, and smarter vehicles aren’t just the future — they’re already here. And they need trained hands to keep them running.

In short, the future of automotive technicians looks promising, especially for those with up-to-date training and solid hands-on experience.

How Much Do Automotive Technicians Make?

Let’s talk numbers. The median automotive technician salary in the U.S. was $47,770 in 2023, or around $22.96 per hour, according to the BLS. But there’s a wide pay range depending on where you work, how much experience you have, and whether you specialize.

You can increase your earnings by:

  • Getting ASE certifications
  • Training with OEM manufacturers
  • Specializing in areas like diesel, performance tuning, or diagnostics
  • Working in high-demand regions or high-volume shops

Entry-level techs usually start lower, but with experience, many move into higher-paying roles, especially in specialty shops or as shop foremen, service writers, or managers.

Why the Demand for Auto Mechanics Is Growing

There are a few big reasons why now is a great time to get into the industry:

1. Retirement Wave

Thousands of experienced automotive technicians are aging out of the workforce, and it’s creating a real gap in the industry. The baby boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, now ranges from their early 60s to late 70s. Many of them have already retired, and plenty more are planning to in the next few years. 

That means shops, dealerships, and service centers across the country are losing decades of hard-earned skill and experience.

​​For anyone considering a career as an automotive technician, this shift opens the door wide. There’s a real opportunity here for motivated people who are ready to work, learn, and take pride in a trade that still values skill and hustle.

2. More Vehicles on the Road

Car ownership is on the rise in the U.S., with personal and commercial vehicle registrations increasing by 3.5% between 2018 and 2022. 

Nearly 92% of households owned at least one vehicle in 2022, and over 22% had three or more. With more vehicles on the road — especially delivery vans and commercial fleets — there’s an ever-growing need for skilled technicians to handle maintenance and repairs.

For automotive technicians, this means plenty of job opportunities. As the number of vehicles continues to climb, so does the demand for expert care—whether for personal cars or commercial vehicles. 

The road ahead is full of potential for those who are ready to keep these vehicles in top shape.

3. Technology-Heavy Cars

Cars today are computers on wheels. With ADAS, EVs, hybrid drivetrains, and advanced sensors becoming the norm, tech-savvy mechanics are more valuable than ever.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a big part of that shift. Thanks to better battery tech, lower costs, and growing demand, EVs are going mainstream fast. Automakers are investing heavily, and government incentives are pushing adoption even further. 

We’re also seeing the rise of software-defined vehicles — cars built around centralized computing systems that run complex features, handle updates over the air, and communicate with everything from traffic signals to your smart home. 

With all this change, the industry needs more mechanics and techs who can diagnose, troubleshoot, and work confidently with high-voltage systems, advanced diagnostics, and real-time data.

How to Become an Automotive Technician

So, how do you become an automotive technician? The good news is, auto tech employers aren’t looking for a four-year degree. However, they do want you to have formal training.

Here’s the typical path:

  1. Graduate from high school or earn a GED
  2. Attend a trade school for automotive technology, like WyoTech
  3. Get hands-on training in diagnostics, repair, and electrical systems
  4. Earn certifications like ASE or manufacturer-specific training
  5. Apply for jobs at shops, dealerships, or fleet service centers

The fastest way to get there is through a focused, hands-on program that teaches you exactly what you need to know to hit the shop floor job-ready.

Getting a Foot in the Door: Internships & Industry Connections

One of the best ways to ease into the field — and get noticed by employers — is by getting shop experience while you’re still in school. That’s where internships and industry connections come into play.

At WyoTech, we work closely with brands and employers who are actively looking for skilled techs. These companies visit the campus, attend career fairs, and offer internships that often lead straight into full-time jobs. It’s a chance to get your hands dirty in a real shop, meet the people doing the hiring, and start building your professional network before you even graduate.

You’ll also get introduced to the brands, tools, and equipment that many techs stick with for life.

Why Choose WyoTech?

WyoTech isn’t your average trade school. Based in Laramie, Wyoming, WyoTech focuses on real-world, in-person training that gets you into the field fast, with confidence and skill.

Here’s what makes WyoTech stand out:

If you’re serious about turning your passion into a career, WyoTech helps you do it without wasting time, and without sitting through online classes that don’t teach you how to work under a hood.

What the Future Can Look Like

When you’re thinking about becoming an automotive technician, it helps to see where the road can take you. At WyoTech, we’ve seen thousands of students turn their skills into solid careers, and some into something even bigger.

The WyoTech Hall of Fame is full of grads who’ve taken what they learned in the shop and built real success with it. We’re talking about people like Richard Wood, who opened his own custom car shop and kept it running strong for over 40 years, or Phil Cato, who’s worked with big names and stayed true to the same love for cars he had when he was a kid.

As the demand for trained technicians holds steady, with nearly 68,000 openings projected each year through 2033, the path is wide open for those ready to learn and show up.

The job outlook for automotive technicians is strong, but what you do with that opportunity is what really matters. These WyoTech grads didn’t wait around; they got trained, got certified, and got to work. You can too.

Is Becoming an Auto Tech Worth It?

The short answer? Yes, becoming an automotive technician is a good career for people who like working with their hands, enjoy problem-solving, and want a job that won’t be replaced by a computer anytime soon.

The automotive technician job outlook shows steady growth, rising demand, and real opportunity for people willing to learn the craft. And if you’re looking for a fast, hands-on, career-focused education, WyoTech automotive training is one of the most respected names out there. Ready to get started? Explore WyoTech’s Automotive Programs and see how far you can go in just 9 months.

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