Becoming a Mechanic or Automotive Technician in Maryland
Working as an auto mechanic or truck mechanic is a great career move if you enjoy working with your hands and communicating with people. These are jobs that come with a good income, but it takes specialized skills and knowledge to do them. In Maryland you may choose to either complete a degree or certificate program before landing a job at which you will continue to be trained by more experienced mechanics. After working for a year or more you can seek certification as a mechanic or specialist. [En Español]
The Job Outlook for Mechanics in Maryland
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2020 there were 13,030 automotive service technicians working in Maryland, along with 5,380 truck and diesel mechanics. This is a high-population state with plenty of trucks and cars that need service. This fact along with the general six-percent growth in the industry throughout the country means there will be plenty of opportunities in the coming years for newly qualified mechanics to find work.
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Salaries for Auto Service Technicians in Maryland
This includes information for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers, Automotive Body and Related Repairers, and Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists. The salary data is categorized by percentile and region, highlighting significant variations based on experience and geographic location.
In Maryland, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn between $30,000 and $72,000 annually. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers have salaries ranging from $28,000 to $66,000. Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn between $32,000 and $78,000, while Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists earn between $35,000 and $80,000.
Salaries in Maryland by Occupation
| Occupation | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $14.50 / $30,160 | $18.50 / $38,480 | $23.50 / $48,880 | $30.00 / $62,400 | $34.50 / $71,760 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $13.50 / $28,080 | $17.00 / $35,360 | $21.50 / $44,720 | $26.50 / $55,920 | $31.50 / $65,520 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $15.50 / $32,240 | $19.50 / $40,560 | $24.00 / $49,920 | $31.00 / $64,480 | $37.50 / $78,000 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists | $17.00 / $35,360 | $21.00 / $43,680 | $26.00 / $54,080 | $32.50 / $67,600 | $38.50 / $80,080 |
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Maryland by Region
| Region | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | Automotive Body and Related Repairers | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $32,000 – $72,000 | $30,000 – $66,000 | $34,000 – $74,000 | $38,000 – $80,000 |
| Annapolis | $30,000 – $70,000 | $28,000 – $64,000 | $32,000 – $72,000 | $36,000 – $78,000 |
| Frederick | $31,000 – $71,000 | $29,000 – $65,000 | $33,000 – $73,000 | $37,000 – $79,000 |
| Gaithersburg | $32,000 – $72,000 | $30,000 – $66,000 | $34,000 – $74,000 | $38,000 – $80,000 |
Auto Mechanic Schools in Maryland
The state does not require that mechanics complete a post-secondary educational program, but employers generally prefer to hire new mechanics who have completed one. Maryland has several programs for mechanics both at the secondary level for high school students and at community and technical colleges for adult students.
- Community College of Baltimore County. The Catonsville campus offers several programs for students interested in becoming mechanics. The global automotive technology degree is a two-year program that teaches students how to service and repair all types of cars. There are also three manufacturer-specific programs available: GM ASEP, Ford ASSET and Toyota T-TEN. These train students to become certified technicians for one or more manufacturers. Students may also choose shorter certificate programs in specific areas including engine specialist, electrical specialist, brake and suspension, and master technician.
- North American Trade Schools. For a big-city education, students can choose the diesel mechanic program at North American Trade Schools in Baltimore. This program trains students in the specific skills needed to work on diesel trucks and engines and to become a heavy vehicle mechanic. The program takes just 10 months to complete.
- Alleghany College of Maryland. Located in Cumberland, Alleghany College has three programs to offer students interested in becoming mechanics. There is the one-year automotive service attendant certificate, the one-year automotive technology certificate and the two-year automotive technology degree. High school students from several nearby schools, including Bedford County Technical Center, and Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools, are able to take courses here to earn college credits and jumpstart their automotive careers.
- Milford Mill Academy. This magnet school in Baltimore offers high school students the chance to complete an automotive technology program in order to begin a career as a mechanic after graduation. The program is guided by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Hagerstown, Maryland, is also home to a Volvo trucks training program. The manufacturer offers online courses and hands-on training at the Hagerstown training center. The program culminates in certification as a Volvo truck mechanic.
ASE Certification
Certification is an important way to prove that you have the skills and knowledge to work as a mechanic. But, you can’t get ASE certification just by completing an educational program.
One needs to pass one or more of the exams provided by ASE, some of which includes:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Transit bus certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
The requirements to qualify for the exams include either having finished a program and completed one year of work experience or having two years of work experience. ASE offers certification in a number of specializations, including truck mechanics, auto mechanics and collision repair.
Working as a Mechanic in Maryland
Opportunities abound for qualified mechanics in Maryland. Those who complete manufacturer-specific programs, like Toyota T-TEN, will be hired by a dealership. Those with more general degrees or certificates may be hired by a dealership or by service stations, garages and mechanic shops, tire and oil change centers, and anywhere else mechanics are needed to work on vehicles.
In Maryland the areas with the greatest opportunities for mechanics are the large population centers around Washington D.C., Lexington Park and California, and Baltimore, Columbia and Towson. There are, of course, also opportunities in more rural areas, but they are fewer. With the right qualifications and a willingness to work hard, you can become a successful auto mechanic in Maryland.