How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 69,750 auto mechanics earning a median $48,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most auto mechanics train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Compare Auto Mechanic Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth | 62.6 | Contact school for pricing | $57,080 | 71% | — | 127 mi |
| 2 | Tarrant County College District | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,928 | 29% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 3 | Dallas College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 4 | Universal Technical Institute-West Texas | 55.8 | Contact school for pricing | $57,080 | 75% | — | 58 mi |
| 5 | Weatherford College | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $59,564 | Not reported | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 6 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 7 | Cisco College | 49.3 | $4,710 - $17,469 | $46,191 | 30% | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 8 | Texas State Technical College | 47.6 | Contact school for pricing | $55,511 | 41% | Yes* | 53 mi |
| 9 | Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie | 47.4 | Contact school for pricing | $51,742 | Not reported | — | 111 mi |
| 10 | Ranger College | 40.4 | Contact school for pricing | $42,565 | 27% | Yes* | 97 mi |
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.
Texas employs approximately 69,750 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,310 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 Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 17,690 | $49,720 | $55,760 | $30,280 | $93,260 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 14,910 | $50,940 | $54,900 | $29,380 | $83,180 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 6,320 | $46,880 | $52,060 | $29,860 | $80,840 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,210 | $50,610 | $57,440 | $33,350 | $94,150 |
| El Paso | 2,080 | $44,250 | $46,320 | $27,240 | $72,990 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 1,620 | $39,920 | $46,500 | $27,450 | $75,500 |
| Lubbock | 1,180 | $44,950 | $47,680 | $27,670 | $75,680 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,110 | $45,870 | $49,690 | $29,090 | $81,120 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,090 | $44,710 | $49,130 | $28,860 | $78,030 |
| Amarillo | 930 | $45,860 | $47,840 | $26,630 | $73,430 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 890 | $47,050 | $51,570 | $29,840 | $80,270 |
| Tyler | 850 | $44,590 | $49,170 | $29,140 | $77,120 |
| Longview | 800 | $46,400 | $49,800 | $29,810 | $77,830 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 780 | $39,160 | $46,740 | $27,450 | $75,390 |
| Waco | 730 | $46,790 | $50,100 | $29,550 | $78,730 |
| College Station-Bryan | 700 | $49,080 | $51,490 | $29,640 | $77,820 |
| Abilene | 650 | $46,190 | $49,830 | $28,770 | $78,660 |
| Laredo | 640 | $39,450 | $45,040 | $25,580 | $73,760 |
| Odessa | 640 | $47,510 | $52,520 | $29,640 | $85,860 |
| Midland | 600 | $49,990 | $54,810 | $30,820 | $82,430 |
| Wichita Falls | 440 | $44,780 | $48,130 | $29,140 | $76,080 |
| San Angelo | 410 | $46,130 | $49,530 | $28,810 | $76,870 |
| Texarkana | 410 | $44,940 | $48,420 | $29,460 | $75,870 |
| Sherman-Denison | 360 | $49,030 | $53,350 | $30,310 | $77,990 |
| Victoria | 300 | $45,060 | $49,350 | $29,230 | $77,890 |
| Eagle Pass | 90 | $44,360 | $47,580 | $27,160 | $76,830 |
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $48,310 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming An Auto Mechanic in Texas
How do I become an auto mechanic in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for auto mechanics in Texas.
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.
What do auto mechanics earn in Texas? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Texas is $48,310 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,360 and experienced professionals can earn $81,720 or more 1.
Top Metros for Auto mechanics in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest auto mechanic employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 17,690 | $49,720 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 14,910 | $50,940 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 6,320 | $46,880 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,210 | $50,610 |
| El Paso | 2,080 | $44,250 |
How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to auto mechanics in Texas before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Texas
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Texas’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission - Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Lone Star College
- Address: 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381
- Phone: (832) 813-6500
- Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 69,750 auto mechanics 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas. You can also contact the Texas Workforce Commission - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do auto mechanics earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Texas is $48,310, which is $1,360 below the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.
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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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas Workforce Commission - 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) |