How to Become an Auto Mechanic in South Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 13,420 auto mechanics earning a median $48,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Auto Mechanic here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Compare Auto Mechanic Schools in South Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
152.6$2,792 in-state / $8,936 out-of-state$48,44131%Yes*103 mi
251.5$5,210 in-state / $8,354 out-of-state$53,08432%Yes*14 mi
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350.6$4,546 in-state / $8,620 out-of-state$58,78330%Yes*69 mi
450.1$3,388 in-state / $5,956 out-of-state$40,63543%Yes*111 mi
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545.7$4,775 in-state / $6,923 out-of-state$44,55533%Yes*85 mi
645.4$4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state$43,46931%Yes*78 mi
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745.0$2,022 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state$46,65738%Yes*93 mi
843.9$5,715 in-state / $9,016 out-of-state$45,87634%Yes*26 mi
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941.9$5,100 in-state / $14,700 out-of-state$46,83218%Yes*26 mi
1041.4$4,488 in-state / $8,592 out-of-stateNot reported15%Yes*54 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Carolina employs approximately 13,420 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,100 1. The state’s concentration of auto mechanic jobs is 1.29x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
  • Exam: ASE or OEM certification
  • Median wage (South Carolina): $48,100 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Auto Mechanic in South Carolina

How to become an Auto Mechanic in South Carolina? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in South Carolina? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.

What do auto mechanics earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in South Carolina is $48,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $78,030 or more 1.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in South Carolina

  1. Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
  3. Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic License Requirements in South Carolina

Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.

Typical path

  1. Complete a specialty program.

  2. Earn ASE or OEM credentials.

  3. Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in South Carolina

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Apprenticeship South Carolina 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
  • Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
  • Phone: (803) 765-5548

Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia7,990$53,660$57,990$34,470$88,130
Charleston-North Charleston2,510$49,120$54,140$34,880$79,480
Columbia2,500$48,080$53,110$31,680$78,430
Greenville-Anderson-Greer2,310$48,120$52,470$32,810$76,580
Augusta-Richmond County1,260$48,730$52,950$30,430$78,720
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach1,040$45,360$49,420$30,430$74,600
Spartanburg970$48,610$52,870$31,640$77,180
Florence600$46,130$49,890$29,800$76,810
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal560$50,920$55,420$31,220$81,370
Sumter190$46,500$50,920$29,660$76,050

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 13,420 auto mechanics 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina. You can also contact the Apprenticeship South Carolina for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do auto mechanics earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in South Carolina is $48,100, which is $1,570 below the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Apprenticeship South Carolina: 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)