How much does a auto body repairer make?
The median auto body repairer in the United States earns $54,890 per year, about $26.39 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all auto body repairers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-3021.
Auto body repairer salary range
Pay for auto body repairers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,910 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,940. The average (mean) wage of $59,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,910 | $17.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,750 | $21.99 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,890 | $26.39 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $69,200 | $33.27 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,940 | $42.28 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Auto body repairer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Auto body repairers earn the most in Rhode Island at $72,490 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $46,080. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $72,490 | 800 |
| California | $66,860 | 14,050 |
| District of Columbia | $62,640 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $62,400 | 3,720 |
| Alaska | $61,680 | 270 |
| Minnesota | $60,970 | 2,910 |
| Hawaii | $60,540 | 450 |
| Missouri | $60,540 | 4,350 |
| Nevada | $60,520 | 1,020 |
| Oregon | $60,000 | 1,660 |
| Colorado | $59,880 | 3,120 |
| Massachusetts | $59,300 | 3,060 |
| Washington | $58,340 | 2,330 |
| Connecticut | $58,220 | 1,850 |
| Virginia | $57,760 | 3,720 |
| Montana | $57,500 | 500 |
| Michigan | $56,880 | 5,010 |
| Wisconsin | $56,660 | 2,690 |
| Maryland | $56,100 | 2,930 |
| North Dakota | $55,160 | 680 |
| Arizona | $54,510 | 2,750 |
| Nebraska | $54,130 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,660 | 6,650 |
| South Carolina | $53,290 | 2,140 |
| New Hampshire | $52,790 | 750 |
| Alabama | $52,040 | 1,810 |
| Illinois | $52,020 | 5,750 |
| Texas | $51,700 | 14,070 |
| Georgia | $51,190 | 4,680 |
| Indiana | $51,160 | 3,780 |
| Vermont | $50,900 | 320 |
| North Carolina | $50,520 | 5,180 |
| Maine | $50,350 | 680 |
| Utah | $50,200 | 1,590 |
| Mississippi | $49,500 | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $49,460 | 800 |
| Iowa | $49,400 | 1,830 |
| Arkansas | $49,310 | 1,140 |
| Idaho | $49,200 | 850 |
| Wyoming | $49,200 | 200 |
| Ohio | $49,080 | 5,950 |
| Kansas | $48,920 | 1,530 |
| Oklahoma | $48,810 | 2,330 |
| Delaware | $48,780 | 340 |
| Florida | $48,600 | 9,220 |
| New Mexico | $48,260 | 810 |
| New York | $47,670 | 8,530 |
| Tennessee | $47,460 | 3,970 |
| Louisiana | $47,150 | 1,660 |
| West Virginia | $47,090 | 670 |
| Kentucky | $46,080 | 1,680 |
State median wages for automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for auto body repairers
The BLS projects employment of auto body repairers to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 163,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 169,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,600 openings a year for auto body repairers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an auto body repairer
The typical entry-level education for auto body repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an auto body repairer earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Rhode Island, $72,490) and the lowest (Kentucky, $46,080) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 149,310 people work as auto body repairers in the United States. At $54,890 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Auto body repairer salary FAQ
How much does an auto body repairer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an auto body repairer is $26.39. The middle half of auto body repairers earn between $21.99 and $33.27 per hour.
What is the highest auto body repairer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of auto body repairers earn more than $87,940 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an auto body repairer make a year?
The median annual salary for an auto body repairer is $54,890. The average (mean) wage of $59,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an auto body repairer a well paid job?
At $54,890 a year, an auto body repairer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 149,310 people work as auto body repairers in the United States.
Which state pays auto body repairers the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median salary for auto body repairers at $72,490 a year. California ($66,860) and District of Columbia ($62,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an auto body repairer a good career?
Employment of auto body repairers is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an auto body repairer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for auto body repairers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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