Employment

Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 763,700 jobs nationally in 2008. Automotive repair and maintenance shops and automobile dealers employed the majority of these workers, with 31 percent working in shops and 28 percent employed by dealers. In addition, automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores employed 7 percent of automotive service technicians. Others worked in gasoline stations; automotive equipment rental and leasing companies; federal, state, and local governments; and other organizations. About 16 percent of service technicians were self-employed, compared with 7 percent of all installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.

Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase by 5 percent nationally between 2008 and 2018. Continued growth in the number of vehicles in use in the United States will lead to new jobs for workers performing basic car maintenance and repair.