Motorcycle Mechanics: Salary Overview
Motorcycle mechanics repair and overhaul motorcycles, scooters, dirt bikes, mopeds, and similar vehicles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for motorcycle mechanics was $37,600 as of May 2019 which means that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Salaries vary depending on region and industry of employment, education, and experience level, among other factors.
The bottom 10 percent reportedly earned less than $24,490 per year while the top 10 percent made more than $60,060.
The 25th percentile for this profession was $29,950 as of May 2019 which means that 75 percent of all workers in this profession earned more than this amount.
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Motorcycle Mechanic Salary by Industry
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, most motorcycle mechanics work for other motor vehicle dealers.
The average annual wage for workers in this occupation who were hired by dealers of these types of motor vehicles was $39,900 as of May 2019- higher than the median across all industries.
Motorcycle mechanics who worked for personal and household goods repair and maintenance businesses reportedly earned $38,670 per year, on average.
The average annual wage was $36,980 for motorcycle mechanics hired by manufacturers of other transportation equipment and $44,930 for those who worked for automobile dealers.
The report published by BLS shows that the highest-paying industry for this profession was the field of automotive repair and maintenance where the average annual wage was $50,570.
Salaries for this profession also vary depending on the region and the state of employment.
The top-paying states for this occupation are Nevada, California, and Georgia.
Motorcycle mechanics in Nevada reportedly earned $50,880 per year, on average while those in California and Georgia earned $49,030 and $48,930 respectively.
The average annual wage was $48,070 for motorcycle mechanics in New Jersey and $46,720 for those in New Hampshire.
In West Virginia, on the other hand, the average annual wage reported by motorcycle mechanics was below the $30,000 mark.
The top-paying metropolitan area for workers in this occupation was New York-Newark-Jersey City- where the average annual wage reported by workers in this occupation was $42,450 as of May 2019.
There are many other factors that will influence your earnings as a motorcycle mechanic.
The motorcycle mechanic’s technical and customer service skills are also important.
Knowing how to repair multiple types of motorcycles and having a few years of experience may help you earn more.
Also, those who specialize in restoring classic motorcycles may have better-earning prospects.
Your salary as a motorcycle mechanic will also depend upon the compensation package you have negotiated with your employer.
Some motorcycle mechanics are paid a fixed salary while others earn an hourly rate.
The total wage received by those who are paid an hourly rate also depends on how many hours he/she works.
The average hourly rate reported by workers in this occupation was $19.22 while the median rate was $18.08
However, hourly wages also vary depending on the experience and skills level, the region, and the employer.
As an entry-level motorcycle mechanic, your hourly wage will typically be somewhere in the $10-$12 range but after earning a few years of experience, your rate will become closer to $20.
The most experienced motorcycle mechanics may earn close to $30 per hour.
However, 80 percent of all motorcycle mechanics reported hourly wages that are in the $11.78-$28.87 range.
If you’re paid based on an hourly rate, your total earnings are directly determined by how many hours you work each day and, hard-working individuals with less than 5 years of experience but who have good skills and a willingness to learn new things may earn more than experienced mechanics with fewer billable hours.
* Based on information from the May 2023 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Motorcycle Mechanics. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.