Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Automotive Mechanic III Salary in the United States

How much does an Automotive Mechanic III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automotive Mechanic III in the United States is $61,652 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Automotive Mechanic III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,118
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,840 to $66,607
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,548
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Automotive Mechanic III Salaries

An Automotive Mechanic III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Automotive Mechanic III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Automotive Mechanic III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Automotive Mechanic I (0-1 years): $48,878
  • Automotive Mechanic II (1-3 years): $55,179
  • Automotive Mechanic III (3-5 years): $61,652
  • Automotive Mechanic IV (5-7 years): $67,458
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Automotive Mechanic I0-1 years$48,878
Automotive Mechanic II1-3 years$55,179
Automotive Mechanic III3-5 years$61,652
Automotive Mechanic IV5-7 years$67,458
View as Graph

How Do Automotive Mechanic IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Automotive Mechanic IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,261.
  • California: $68,002.
  • Massachusetts: $67,096.

Top Paying Cities for Automotive Mechanic III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $77,762
  • San Francisco: $76,910
  • Oakland: $75,289

What Skills Can Increase an Automotive Mechanic III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.61% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Retail Operations (Mentioned in 3.81% Job Postings): Retail operations is the term used to describe all the activities that keep the store functioning well. Goal is to increase gross profit margin to ensure keeping more money on each sale.
  • Wholesale (Mentioned in 1.93% Job Postings): Buying and selling products in large quantities at a lower price to increase profitability through a high sales volume.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.61%
Retail Operations 3.81%
Wholesale 1.93%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Automotive Mechanic III's salary.

  • Territory Management: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Bidding: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Territory Management $75,215
22%
Bidding $67,201
9%
Initiative $65,351
6%
Get Latest Data

Automotive Mechanic III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Automotive Mechanic III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,016. While startup companies pay approximate $58,386.

Automotive Mechanic III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,386
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,750
Established 501~5000 $66,647
Enterprise 5000+ $69,016

Automotive Mechanic III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Automotive Mechanic III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Automotive Mechanic positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automotive Mechanic III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Automotive Mechanic III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$73,982$36.020%
Biotechnology$73,982$36.020%
Financial Services$73,982$36.020%
Healthcare$73,982$36.020%

How Education impacts an Automotive Mechanic III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Automotive Mechanic III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Automotive Mechanic III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,821 and $65,013.

Automotive Mechanic III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Automotive Mechanic III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 62.8%
Associates 28.1%
Bachelors 4.8%
Masters 2.2%
Doctorate 0.9%
View as Graph

Automotive Mechanic III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Automotive Mechanic III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$55,840
Average $61,652/year
$66,607
$4,653
Average $5,138/month
$5,551
$1,074
Average $1,186/week
$1,281
$27
Average $30/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,607 $5,551 $1,281 $32
Average $61,652 $5,138 $1,186 $30
25th Percentile $55,840 $4,653 $1,074 $27

Automotive Mechanic III Salary Growth & Career Path

Automotive Mechanic III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Automotive Mechanic III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Diesel Mechanic Supervisor $76,954 25%
Automotive Mechanic IV $67,458 9%

Most common benefits for Automotive Mechanic III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Automotive Mechanic III

Here are companies hiring for Automotive Mechanic III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Automotive Mechanic III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Automotive Mechanic III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Automotive Mechanic III

1. Where can an Automotive Mechanic III earn the most?

An Automotive Mechanic III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Automotive Mechanic III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Automotive Mechanic III is $77,762.

2. What is the highest pay for Automotive Mechanic III?

The highest pay for Automotive Mechanic III is $71,118.

3. What is the lowest pay for Automotive Mechanic III?

The lowest pay for Automotive Mechanic III is $50,548.

4. What are the responsibilities of Automotive Mechanic III?

Performs maintenance and repairs on automobiles and light trucks. Performs major repairs like body work, chassis and engine repair, and disassembling and assembling components. Also performs minor repairs and maintenance work such as replacing worn drive belts, hoses, and filters. Diagnoses issues, uses electronic indicator systems to identify problems, and performs routine safety checks on brakes, suspension, exhaust, cooling, and other systems. Adheres to appropriate safety procedures. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically requires a Certificate in Automotive Technology. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Automotive Mechanic III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Automotive Mechanic III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job