There are several factors that go into determining the average annual salary of a motorcycle mechanic. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has set the nationwide median salary for motorcycle mechanics at $34,720 while the mean salary checks in at $37,040 per year. However, there is the opportunity to earn well beyond that amount as the top percentage of motorcycle mechanics in each state take home annual salaries that greatly exceed the statewide average. The more experience and training a motorcycle mechanic acquires, the higher the earning potential becomes. That could translate into an annual salary which allows motorcycle mechanics to lead a comfortable lifestyle while also having sound peace of mind.
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Motorcycle Mechanic Pay by State
The earning potential for motorcycle mechanics differ by geographic location. Some parts of the country feature higher wages for motorcycle mechanics. Cost of living is also adjusted differently by location, although that is not the only factor that contributes to the differences in motorcycle mechanic pay. Below is a state by state breakdown of motorcycle mechanic salaries, featuring data that was compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There was no data compiled for the state of Delaware.
Alabama
- Median: $32,430 yearly ($15.59 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $52,950 yearly ($25.46 hourly)
top 10%
Alaska
- Median: $45,480 yearly ($21.87 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $68,910 yearly ($33.13 hourly)
top 10%
Arizona
- Median: $33,690 yearly ($16.20 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $57,440 yearly ($27.62 hourly)
top 10%
Arkansas
- Median: $26,750 yearly ($12.86 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $39,390 yearly ($18.94 hourly)
top 10%
California
- Median: $38,690 yearly ($18.60 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $64,260 yearly ($30.89 hourly)
top 10%
Colorado
- Median: $41,840 yearly ($20.12 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $63,280 yearly ($30.43 hourly)
top 10%
Connecticut
- Median: $38,660 yearly ($18.59 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $50,760 yearly ($24.40 hourly)
top 10%
District of Columbia
- Median: $37,890 yearly ($18.22 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $60,680 yearly ($29.17 hourly)
top 10%
Georgia
- Median: $32,660 yearly ($15.70 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $60,730 yearly ($29.20 hourly)
top 10%
Florida
- Median: $33,120 yearly ($15.92 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $51,850 yearly ($24.93 hourly)
top 10%
Hawaii
- Median: $34,690 yearly ($16.68 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $63,480 yearly ($30.52 hourly)
top 10%
Idaho
- Median: $34,650 yearly ($16.66 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $57,210 yearly ($27.50 hourly)
top 10%
Illinois
- Median: $35,530 yearly ($17.08 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $45,110 yearly ($21.69 hourly)
top 10%
Indiana
- Median: $34,090 yearly ($16.39 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $46,210 yearly ($22.22 hourly)
top 10%
Iowa
- Median: $33,280 yearly ($16.00 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $44,370 yearly ($21.33 hourly)
top 10%
Kentucky
- Median: $33,100 yearly ($15.91 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $47,560 yearly ($22.87 hourly)
top 10%
Kansas
- Median: $36,030 yearly ($17.32 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $48,920 yearly ($23.52 hourly)
top 10%
Louisiana
- Median: $35,840 yearly ($17.23 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $56,790 yearly ($27.30 hourly)
top 10%
Maine
- Median: $30,290 yearly ($14.56 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,970 yearly ($24.03 hourly)
top 10%
Maryland
- Median: $32,080 yearly ($15.42 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $60,540 yearly ($29.11 hourly)
top 10%
Massachusetts
- Median: $37,740 yearly ($18.14 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,760 yearly ($23.92 hourly)
top 10%
Michigan
- Median: $30,690 yearly ($14.75 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $66,330 yearly ($31.89 hourly)
top 10%
Minnesota
- Median: $34,520 yearly ($16.60 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $47,930 yearly ($23.04 hourly)
top 10%
Mississippi
- Median: $35,790 yearly ($17.31 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $57,830 yearly ($27.80 hourly)
top 10%
Missouri
- Median: $32,360 yearly ($15.56 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $63,140 yearly ($30.35 hourly)
top 10%
Montana
- Median: $34,420 yearly ($16.55 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $47,880 yearly ($23.02 hourly)
top 10%
Nebraska
- Median: $31,680 yearly ($15.23 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,590 yearly ($23.84 hourly)
top 10%
Nevada
- Median: $41,270 yearly ($19.84 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $62,480 yearly ($30.04 hourly)
top 10%
New Hampshire
- Median: $34,990 yearly ($16.82 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $59,330 yearly ($28.52 hourly)
top 10%
New Jersey
- Median: $42,250 yearly ($20.31 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $61,830 yearly ($29.73 hourly)
top 10%
New Mexico
- Median: $31,260 yearly ($15.03 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $48,350 yearly ($23.24 hourly)
top 10%
New York
- Median: $35,040 yearly ($16.85 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $55,230 yearly ($26.55 hourly)
top 10%
North Carolina
- Median: $33,830 yearly ($16.26 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,150 yearly ($23.63 hourly)
top 10%
North Dakota
- Median: $36,810 yearly ($17.70 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $67,220 yearly ($32.32 hourly)
top 10%
Ohio
- Median: $33,850 yearly ($16.28 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $47,540 yearly ($22.85 hourly)
top 10%
Oklahoma
- Median: $35,670 yearly ($17.15 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,670 yearly ($23.92 hourly)
top 10%
Oregon
- Median: $33,480 yearly ($16.09 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $48,740 yearly ($23.43 hourly)
top 10%
Pennsylvania
- Median: $34,170 yearly ($16.43 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $51,690 yearly ($24.85 hourly)
top 10%
Rhode Island
- Median: $42,370 yearly ($20.37 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $49,780 yearly ($23.93 hourly)
top 10%
South Carolina
- Median: $34,070 yearly ($16.38 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $58,010 yearly ($27.89 hourly)
top 10%
South Dakota
- Median: $30,360 yearly ($14.60 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $48,800 yearly ($23.46 hourly)
top 10%
Tennessee
- Median: $37,530 yearly ($18.04 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $57,690 yearly ($27.74 hourly)
top 10%
Texas
- Median: $33,240 yearly ($15.98 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $56,280 yearly ($27.06 hourly)
top 10%
Utah
- Median: $37,770 yearly ($18.14 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $56,590 yearly ($27.21 hourly)
top 10%
Vermont
- Median: $27,260 yearly ($13.11 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $30,590 yearly ($14.71 hourly)
top 10%
Virginia
- Median: $35,040 yearly ($16.85 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $59,440 yearly ($28.58 hourly)
top 10%
Washington
- Median: $43,050 yearly ($20.70 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $61,530 yearly ($29.58 hourly)
top 10%
West Virginia
- Median: $23,660 yearly ($11.37 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $45,720 yearly ($21.98 hourly)
top 10%
Wisconsin
- Median: $31,470 yearly ($15.13 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $53,440 yearly ($25.69 hourly)
top 10%
Wyoming
- Median: $39,340 yearly ($18.92 hourly)
- Top 10 percent: $61,870 yearly ($29.75 hourly)
top 10%
Motorcycle Mechanic Salaries in Metropolitan Areas
Many professions feature higher-paying jobs in metropolitan areas. The demand is higher in those areas, and the same can be said for the cost of living. Both of those factors tend to result in increased salary amounts for motorcycle mechanics. Here is a closer look at some of the highest paying metropolitan areas for motorcycle mechanics in the United States.
San Francisco, CA
Average: $53,090 yearly ($25.53 hourly)
New York, NY
Average: $51,970 yearly ($24.99 hourly)
Kansas City, MO
Average: $50,870 yearly ($24.28 hourly)
Anchorage, AK
Average: $50,510 yearly ($24.28 hourly)
Denver, CO
Average: $50,260 yearly ($24.16 hourly)
The next highest paying metropolitan areas are San Diego, Santa Clara and Las Vegas. That does not mean that motorcycle mechanics have to work within the proximity of a metropolitan area in order to make a comfortable living. Some higher-end motorcycle repair businesses are able to pay higher rates because of the increased cost of labor. Those increases typically stem from having a staff filled with experienced and reputable mechanics.
Labor costs play a key role in determining what a repair shop can charge its customers. A shop that specializes in oil changes and brake jobs is not going to be able to charge as much as a shop that specializes in custom installations. Therefore, choosing where you are going to work as a motorcycle mechanic is going to play a big role in the pay rate.
Many motorcycle mechanics are paid on a per-hour basis and there are a much fewer amount of mechanics on salary. There is no set standard for motorcycle mechanic pay and that means that it is important to examine all of the other factors that go into each individual job.
Motorcycle Mechanic Salary Increases
Motorcycle mechanics who begin working at an entry-level position are subject to lower pay rates and that is mainly based on experience. Those without any formal training usually make very low hourly wages when starting off in this profession. Their work is considered to be a form of on-the-job training. And the more experience they accumulate, the more they can expect to earn.
Motorcycle mechanics who have graduated from a certificate program usually receive higher entry-level pay rates. They too are able to parlay work experience into raises and long-term wage increases. Unlike the automotive repair industry, there are no ASE certifications that signify a mastery in motorcycle repair. Motorcycle mechanics can earn certifications from the EETC (Equipment & Engine Training Council), although it is up to each individual employer to decide how much those certifications will affect pay rates and credibility. Motorcycle mechanics who receive promotions to the position of service manager can also pave the way towards higher earnings.
Another way to increase earning potential is to attain the skill and knowledge needed to provide customizations on motorcycles. Many bike owners will pay handsome amounts of money for upgrades. This involves a more sophisticated approach, with varying techniques used in the process. That skill can be attained with additional training, as motorcycle mechanics also learn a great deal from experienced mechanics. Working in an everyday capacity in a motorcycle repair shop can be a tremendous resource for mechanics. Over the course of time, they pick up a lot of new skills that enhance their overall abilities, which can lead to higher earning potential.