The salary of an automotive mechanic or technician can vary depending on many factors, including experience, education and skills, or the location of the business. The salary of a beginner with a background in automotive mechanics (apprentice) is normally $18.00 or more. Some mechanics with several years of experience and/or with a skills card reach over $40.00/hour. The average salary is just over $50,000/year or $26.00/hour. The labor shortage has pushed this average upwards for several years.