How to Become An Auto Mechanic in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 29,510 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,170 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an auto mechanic in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Auto Mechanic in Illinois
How do I become an auto mechanic in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as AUTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLER. The licensing authority is the Illinois Secretary of State 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for auto mechanics. The Illinois Secretary of State oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do auto mechanics earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Illinois is $49,170 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,190 and experienced professionals can earn $91,200 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Illinois Secretary of State
- Median wage (Illinois): $49,170 per year 1
Auto Mechanic License Requirements in Illinois
The Illinois Secretary of State oversees auto mechanic licensing in Illinois 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| AUTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLER | An individual in the business of acquiring previously owned vehicles and vehicle parts for the primary purpose of disposing the parts of vehicles. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Illinois
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Illinois’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: BEST, Inc
- Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
- Phone: (815) 224-0375
- Email: [email protected]
Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 20,140 | $55,320 | $59,320 | $34,520 | $92,460 |
| St. Louis | 7,590 | $58,190 | $57,060 | $36,280 | $78,140 |
| Peoria | 1,040 | $47,750 | $54,810 | $33,780 | $82,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 980 | $47,880 | $54,580 | $34,840 | $79,750 |
| Rockford | 730 | $48,110 | $54,130 | $34,890 | $80,010 |
| Springfield | 550 | $48,810 | $54,320 | $36,090 | $81,060 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 460 | $48,090 | $53,550 | $35,370 | $77,020 |
| Bloomington | 440 | $46,260 | $51,630 | $31,200 | $78,140 |
| Kankakee | 320 | $45,190 | $50,850 | $31,200 | $80,100 |
| Cape Girardeau | 310 | $48,690 | $51,460 | $32,600 | $75,860 |
| Paducah | 290 | $43,260 | $46,730 | $30,680 | $69,010 |
| Decatur | 240 | $47,880 | $51,840 | $35,700 | $77,980 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Auto mechanics in Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest auto mechanic employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 20,140 | $55,320 |
| Peoria | 1,040 | $47,750 |
| Rockford | 730 | $48,110 |
| Springfield | 550 | $48,810 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 460 | $48,090 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 29,510 auto mechanics 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an auto mechanic in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Secretary of State for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois. You can also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do auto mechanics earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Illinois is $49,170, which is $500 below the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Secretary of State - Licensing Information: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |