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Started By
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Do vehicle mechanics make a good living?
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:12 pm
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:12 pm
Just curious to see what kind of living they make with the absurd labor fees they charge.
22
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:13 pm to Datfish
Depends on years of experience I would imagine. Older fellas I'm sure do, young bucks fresh outta Wyotech probably not.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:13 pm to Datfish
depends on if they own their own shop or work for a dealership. The 120 an hour you pay for labor does not trickle back down to the employee doing the work. Our millwrights get charged out at 75 an hour when working onsite, but upper level foreman are usually only making 25 per hour.
This post was edited on 3/26/19 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:14 pm to Datfish
Yeah they rip people off
Especially soccer moms
Especially soccer moms
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:14 pm to Datfish
Probably depends on how many middle-aged housewives they can swindle out of some money.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:16 pm to Datfish
I can’t speak for auto mechanics, but I know a fully trained heavy equipment diesel mechanic can make roughly $70,000 a year. If he’s a field mechanic he can make upwards of $90,000 to $100,000. Of course it’s back breaking filthy work with long hours.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:17 pm to Datfish
quote:Define absurd. Modern cars have gotten pretty complicated, lots of proprietary software that is pretty expensive. Tools are expensive, insurance etc. etc. You are not only paying the mechanic's labor but the labor of the whole business. The receptionist, the service writer, the porter etc. You go to a dealer and get a loaner, you are paying for that.
Just curious to see what kind of living they make with the absurd labor fees they charge.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:19 pm to Datfish
I know a few guys who own their own shops and make a pretty good living
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:19 pm to Datfish
If you own your place absolutely keep the labor rates, you'll do well. If you are an employee your looking at starting in the high teens to maybe topping at $30/hr.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:20 pm to achenator
quote:
Modern cars have gotten pretty complicated, lots of proprietary software that is pretty expensive.
The main tool of a true auto technician today is a notebook computer not a wrench.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:21 pm to achenator
Unless you are the business owner, or in something specialized, I think there is still a struggle. My 1st job was at a small shop, the owner made what I perceived good money, but the mechanics seemed to barely able to get by.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:24 pm to EA6B
quote:
The main tool of a true auto technician today is a notebook computer not a wrench.
Same thing in heavy equipment. The first step in troubleshooting just about anything now is hooking the laptop up to the ECM and reading codes. What’s funny is half the time the problem is the sensors themselves instead of the components they’re supposed to monitor. Between bad sensors and the stupid emissions systems on machines, the cost of upkeep is going through the roof.
This post was edited on 3/26/19 at 12:25 pm
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:24 pm to Darth_Vader
Yeah I know some Marine Diesel Mechanics who make $100,000 on a slow year.
I have a buddy who started out in HS in a teardown shop of a big Diesel Engine Shop. Hes the shop manager now, (over 50 employees) and makes over 150.
I have a buddy who started out in HS in a teardown shop of a big Diesel Engine Shop. Hes the shop manager now, (over 50 employees) and makes over 150.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:26 pm to CHEDBALLZ
I’ve never worked in Cat’s Marine Div. But I’ve heard marine diesel mechanics make damn good money.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:38 pm to Datfish
Depends on experience and where you work. The more certifications you have the better.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:42 pm to Datfish
Son in law is a master certified diesel mechanic for Ford. Only works on F-250 and bigger. Has a few helpers. Makes over $250k per year.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:48 pm to blacykaty
quote:
Son in law is a master certified diesel mechanic for Ford. Only works on F-250 and bigger. Has a few helpers. Makes over $250k per year.
It's a lot of work keeping those POS ford's on the road.
Posted on 3/26/19 at 12:50 pm to Perrydawg
quote:My company charges a flat $295/hr for me to just show up. There are typically additional daily or hourly fees tacked onto that as well. I get paid $35/hr after taxes and deductions.
Our millwrights get charged out at 75 an hour when working onsite, but upper level foreman are usually only making 25 per hour.
OP, regular young guys make ~$15/hr. ASE guys with experience can make $30-40/hr depending on certs.
quote:They have to get specialized training on each manufacturer and system. I know of a company that requires their mechanics (called engineers) to have years of marine mechanic experience in several critical areas, be basically a full millwright, and have a ME degree. They are all paid >$100k, and have to fly all over the place constantly. They also have to do continuing education stuff to stay certified
I’ve never worked in Cat’s Marine Div. But I’ve heard marine diesel mechanics make damn good money
Posted on 3/26/19 at 6:24 pm to Datfish
All depends on your definition of mechanic...
Posted on 3/26/19 at 6:28 pm to Datfish
How crooked are they?
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