Becoming a Mechanic or Automotive Technician in Washington
Working as an auto or truck mechanic is a great career choice if you enjoy hands-on work, having a lot of career opportunities and working with people. If you are choosing your career in Washington State, consider going to school or completing an apprenticeship in order to get the training needed to become an automotive technician or mechanic. [En Español]
The Job Outlook for Automotive Mechanics in Washington
The May 2020 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that there were 14,280 automotive service technicians and mechanics and 7,940 bus and truck mechanics and diesel specialists working in Washington at the time. The overall growth in this field for the country is twelve percent. There are many positions right now and more expected in the future for those individuals who have the right training. The areas in the state with the most opportunities are around Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Vancouver.
Salaries for Auto Mechanics in Washington
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 Washington, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn between $30,000 and $75,000 annually. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers have salaries ranging from $28,000 to $70,000. Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn between $32,000 and $80,000, while Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists earn between $35,000 and $85,000.
Salaries in Washington 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 | $31.00 / $64,480 | $36.00 / $74,880 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $13.50 / $28,080 | $17.00 / $35,360 | $21.50 / $44,720 | $27.00 / $56,160 | $33.50 / $69,680 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $15.50 / $32,240 | $19.50 / $40,560 | $24.50 / $50,960 | $31.50 / $65,520 | $38.50 / $80,080 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists | $17.00 / $35,360 | $21.50 / $44,720 | $27.00 / $56,160 | $34.00 / $70,720 | $40.50 / $84,240 |
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $32,000 – $72,000 | $30,000 – $68,000 | $34,000 – $75,000 | $38,000 – $82,000 |
| Spokane | $31,000 – $70,000 | $29,000 – $66,000 | $33,000 – $73,000 | $37,000 – $80,000 |
| Tacoma | $30,000 – $68,000 | $28,000 – $64,000 | $32,000 – $71,000 | $36,000 – $78,000 |
| Olympia | $31,000 – $69,000 | $29,000 – $65,000 | $33,000 – $72,000 | $37,000 – $79,000 |
Auto Mechanic Schools in Washington
Programs that train people to become mechanics should be accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) or Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES). There are programs at community and technical colleges for adult students and also high school programs that prepare young students for entry-level jobs right after graduation.
- Renton Technical College. Located in Renton, this technical school offers a few options for students interested in becoming a mechanic. There is a two-year associate degree program in automotive technology, as well as a shorter certificate option. The auto body repair and refinishing program prepares students to work in collision shops. Renton also has the Ford ASSET program, a two-year degree that trains students to become certified Ford technicians.
- Shoreline Community College. In Shoreline, students can choose between several manufacturer-specific training programs, including Honda PACT, Mopar CAP, Toyota T-TEN and GM ASEP. Students in these programs alternate classroom learning with hands-on, paid work experience at dealerships. There is also a general service technician program at Shoreline.
- Spokane Community College. Spokane students can choose from several certificate and degree programs. These include associate degrees in automotive collision and refinishing or automotive technology, and certificates in specialty areas like brakes, collision, electrical systems, engine, repair, heating and air conditioning and more. Spokane also offers students the Toyota T-TEN program.
- Clark College. Clark College, in Vancouver, offers students an automotive technology associate degree program as well as the Toyota T-TEN program. It also has two special programs for either a certificate or associate degree. The program is called HiTECC, or the Dick Hannah Initiative for Technician Education with Clark College. It is an exclusive program for just 20 students at a time, who learn in the classroom and at local dealerships with placement at those dealerships after graduation.
For high school students in Washington, there are auto mechanic programs at several locations. A few examples include South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Newtech Skills Center in Spokane, Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Cascade High School in Everett, and Cascadia Technical Academy Skills Center in Vancouver.
Achieving ASE Certification
Completion of an educational program in automotive technology or diesel mechanics prepares students to accept an entry-level job. Training often continues on the job at that point, and new workers can gain enough experience to become certified through The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE certifies mechanics in a range of specialties. To qualify to take a certification test a mechanic must have completed an educational program and one year of work experience or have two years of work experience with no degree or certificate.
Job Opportunities for Mechanics in Washington
With the right training and education you will have your choice of types of job in Washington. Most employers in the state prefer to hire graduates of automotive technology programs. Employers include dealerships, service stations and gas stations, body and paint shops, and oil change shops. If you successfully complete a certificate or degree program, you should be able to find an entry-level job in any of these types of facilities.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Auto Mechanic programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bates Technical CollegeTacoma, WA(253) 680-70001101 S Yakima AveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $6,0272024-25 | $2,319 to $13,718by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham, WA(360) 752-70003028 Lindbergh AveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $4,4312024-25 | $2,121 to $14,885by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Big Bend Community CollegeMoses Lake, WA(509) 793-22227662 Chanute St NEAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,0592024-25 | $9,385 to $18,407by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Clark CollegeVancouver, WA(360) 992-20001933 Fort Vancouver WayAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,2332024-25 | $8,031 to $16,036by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Clover Park Technical CollegeLakewood, WA(253) 589-58004500 Steilacoom Blvd SWAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $6,6342023-24 | $3,264 to $13,974by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Columbia Basin CollegePasco, WA(509) 547-05112600 N 20th AveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $6,5552024-25 | $7,480 to $16,108by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Grays Harbor CollegeAberdeen, WA(360) 532-90201620 Edward P Smith DriveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,5932024-25 | $1,557 to $9,110by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Green River CollegeAuburn, WA(253) 833-911112401 SE 320th StAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $4,7112024-25 | $10,534 to $19,968by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyKirkland, WA(425) 739-810011605 132nd Ave NEAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,9972024-25 | $3,827 to $15,351by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lower Columbia CollegeLongview, WA(360) 442-23111600 Maple StreetAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $4,6262024-25 | $6,427 to $15,683by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Olympic CollegeBremerton, WA(360) 792-60501600 Chester AveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $4,1972024-25 | $5,352 to $13,478by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Peninsula CollegePort Angeles, WA(360) 452-92771502 E Lauridsen BlvdAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $4,7182024-25 | $2,384 to $12,892by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Perry Technical InstituteYakima, WA(509) 453-03742011 W Washington Ave.Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private nonprofit | not published | $21,150 to $28,203by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Renton Technical CollegeRenton, WA(425) 235-23523000 NE Fourth StAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $6,3082024-25 | $4,050 to $13,962by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Shoreline Community CollegeShoreline, WA(206) 546-410116101 Greenwood Ave NAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,1152024-25 | $8,042 to $18,258by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Skagit Valley CollegeMount Vernon, WA(360) 416-76002405 E. College WayAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,4002024-25 | $4,672 to $12,437by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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South Puget Sound Community CollegeOlympia, WA(360) 596-52002011 Mottman Rd SWAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,2522024-25 | $7,796 to $16,913by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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South Seattle CollegeSeattle, WA(206) 934-53006000 16th Ave SWAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,2382024-25 | $5,822 to $7,748by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Spokane Community CollegeSpokane, WA(509) 533-84001810 North Greene StreetAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,4612024-25 | $3,951 to $13,615by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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UEI College-TacomaTacoma, WA(253) 210-35951415 East 72nd StreetAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | not published | $34,265 to $39,304by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla, WA(509) 522-2500500 Tausick WayAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,2792024-25 | $6,527 to $15,953by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place, WA(509) 527-2615204 S College AveAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Private nonprofit | $33,0272023-24 | $17,578 to $28,840by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatchee, WA(509) 682-68001300 Fifth StAccredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,2672024-25 | $8,791 to $17,815by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Yakima Valley CollegeYakima, WA(509) 574-4600South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd.Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Public | $5,3122024-25 | $9,106 to $17,344by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.