Auto Mechanic vs Machinist: which pays more?
Machinists earn about $2,000 more per year than auto mechanics — roughly 4% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Auto Mechanic
$50,000
median per year
Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.
Full auto mechanic salary data →Machinist
$52,000
median per year
Machinists set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts.
Full machinist salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Auto Mechanic | Machinist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $50,000 | $52,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $24 | $25 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $34,000 | $38,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $78,000 | $74,000 |
| Education required | Postsecondary automotive program and ASE certification. | High school diploma plus apprenticeship or technical training. |
| Job outlook | 3% growth through 2033 — EV skills increase pay. | 2% growth through 2033 — CNC skills in demand. |
Pay by state
| State | Auto Mechanic | Machinist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $59,000 | $61,500 | −$2,500 for Machinist |
| New York | $57,000 | $59,500 | −$2,500 for Machinist |
| Massachusetts | $56,500 | $59,000 | −$2,500 for Machinist |
| Washington | $56,000 | $58,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| New Jersey | $54,500 | $56,500 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Colorado | $52,000 | $54,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Illinois | $51,000 | $53,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Pennsylvania | $49,000 | $51,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Texas | $48,500 | $50,500 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Arizona | $48,000 | $50,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Michigan | $47,500 | $49,500 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Ohio | $47,000 | $49,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Georgia | $47,000 | $49,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| North Carolina | $46,500 | $48,500 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
| Florida | $46,000 | $48,000 | −$2,000 for Machinist |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Machinists earn more on paper, but high school diploma plus apprenticeship or technical training. takes longer and costs more than postsecondary automotive program and ase certification.. If you want to start earning sooner, auto mechanic is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, machinist tops out at $74,000 versus $78,000.
Job security also differs: auto mechanic outlook is "3% growth through 2033 — EV skills increase pay." while machinist outlook is "2% growth through 2033 — CNC skills in demand."