Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salary in the United States

How much does an Automotive Diagnostic Technician make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automotive Diagnostic Technician in the United States is $61,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,164
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,912 to $65,869
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,232
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,912 10% $49,232 90% $70,164 75% $65,869 $61,151 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,869 $5,489 $1,267 $32
Average $61,151 $5,096 $1,176 $29
25th Percentile $54,912 $4,576 $1,056 $26
Check out Automotive Diagnostic Technician Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salaries

An Automotive Diagnostic Technician'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.

Top Paying Cities for Automotive Diagnostic Technicians

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: $77,130
  • San Francisco: $76,285
  • Oakland: $74,677

What Skills Can Increase an Automotive Diagnostic Technician'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.61%
Retail Operations 3.81%
Wholesale 1.93%
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 Diagnostic Technician'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
$74,604
22%
Bidding
$66,654
9%
Initiative
$64,820
6%
Oral Communication
$64,208
5%
Collaboration
$63,597
4%
Partnering
$62,985
3%
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Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Automotive Diagnostic Technician 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 Diagnostic Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automotive Diagnostic Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Automotive Diagnostic Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$73,381$35.020%
Biotechnology$73,381$35.020%
Financial Services$73,381$35.020%
Healthcare$73,381$35.020%

How Education impacts an Automotive Diagnostic Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Automotive Diagnostic Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Diagnostic Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,121 and $64,492).

Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Automotive Diagnostic Technician
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%
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Automotive Diagnostic Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Automotive Diagnostic Technician'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

Salary Trends for Automotive Diagnostic Technician

Salaries for an Automotive Diagnostic Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $52,548 in 2023 to around $51,889 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Automotive Diagnostic Technician salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Automotive Diagnostic Technician Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$52,548
2024
$52,280
2025
$51,889
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $52,548
2024 $52,280
2025 $51,889
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Automotive Diagnostic Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Automotive Diagnostic Technician

Here are companies hiring for Automotive Diagnostic Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Automotive Diagnostic Technician Job

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

United States
  • BMW Dealer Careers

    Columbus, OH

    BMW Dealer Careers | Columbus, OH

    Automotive Technician. Kelly BMW, located in Columbus, OH has immediate opportunities for technicians to become part of the BMW Family. As a BMW Technician... more

    8 Days Ago

  • DriveTime Automotive Group

    Columbus, OH

    DriveTime Automotive Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Title. Responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, and performing advanced vehicle repairs and maintenance, performing emissions testing (state inspections... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pep Boys

    Columbus, OH

    Pep Boys | Columbus, OH

    Technician. A Technician is primarily responsible for using their experience and technical expertise to diagnose drivability and electrical systems. A succ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Meineke

    Columbus, OH

    Meineke | Columbus, OH

    Responsive Recruiter. You know your way around cars and want to take on more challenges. This role is for a solid, hands-on tech who's comfortable with rou... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Alpha Automotive LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Alpha Automotive LLC | Columbus, OH

    Join Our Elite Auto Repair Team. Are you a seasoned Automotive Technician with a passion for precision and excellence. We're looking for YOU to join our to... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Carmax

    Columbus, OH

    Carmax | Columbus, OH

    Carmax - 2700 Farmers Drive - Responsibilities: Inspect, diagnose, and repair vehicles to CarMax standards for safety and quality. Collaborate with a team ... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Automotive Diagnostic Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Automotive Diagnostic Technician?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Automotive Diagnostic Technician 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.

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