San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Auto Mechanic Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $65,700 ($31.59/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,600/year and the 90th was $96,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $52,939 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$65,700$31.59 per hour · $5,475 monthly
10th Percentile$38,600$18.56/hr base
25th Percentile$47,100$22.64/hr base
75th Percentile$77,900$37.45/hr base
90th Percentile$96,300$46.30/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$65,700
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,700
Net 81%
Fed 9%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,939After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,412Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,036Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,704 / yr
California state income tax$2,031 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,026 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$18.56/hr$3,217$38,600$32,668
25th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$39,158
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$31.59/hr$5,475$65,700$52,939
75th Percentile$37.45/hr$6,492$77,900$60,626
90th Percentile$46.30/hr$8,025$96,300$71,866

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$65,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$106,268Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.911.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61.8%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $65,700, which equates to approximately $5,475 per month or $31.59 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $31.59 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.56/hour and one in ten earned more than $46.30/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $38,600 at the 10th percentile to $47,100 at the 25th, $77,900 at the 75th, and $96,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On a median gross salary of $65,700, an estimated $52,939 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,036 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,761 (an effective rate of 19.4%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On the median annual salary of $65,700, gross monthly income is $5,475. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,412 per month (or $2,036 every two weeks).

Is $65,700 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

At $65,700, the median salary for auto mechanics is 61.8% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.