Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic Salary in Washington, DC
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $61,860 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,310 take-home, or $4,109 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median automotive service technician and mechanic salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,243
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,835
- Medicare (1.45%)$897
- District of Columbia income tax$2,574
- Take-home pay$49,310
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,110 | $18.32 | $31,681 | $2,640 |
| 25th percentile | $47,050 | $22.62 | $38,328 | $3,194 |
| Median (50th) | $61,860 | $29.74 | $49,310 | $4,109 |
| 75th percentile | $80,190 | $38.55 | $61,396 | $5,116 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,460 | $46.86 | $72,078 | $6,006 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,860 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median automotive service technician and mechanic's $49,310 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,287 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for automotive service technicians and mechanics, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #18 of 51 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $77,840 | $59,563 | $53,941 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $72,020 | $56,010 | $52,508 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $62,530 | $50,453 | $52,047 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $58,700 | $49,345 | $51,221 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $76,030 | $58,458 | $50,564 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $61,510 | $48,881 | $49,950 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $58,190 | $47,138 | $49,573 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $56,150 | $46,535 | $48,743 |
| 18 | Washington, DC | $61,860 | $49,310 | $45,287 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 51 metros →
About the job: automotive service technicians and mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a automotive service technician and mechanic make in Washington, DC?
The median automotive service technician and mechanic salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $61,860 a year, or about $29.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,050 and $80,190.
What is a automotive service technician and mechanic’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $61,860 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $49,310 a year ($4,109 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,574 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a automotive service technician and mechanic?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $50,620. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,287 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #18 of 51 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a automotive service technician and mechanic afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median automotive service technician and mechanic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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