Trenton-Princeton, NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Auto Mechanic Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

In the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $53,700 ($25.82/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,800/year and the 90th was $86,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $43,909 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$53,700$25.82 per hour · $4,475 monthly
10th Percentile$31,800$15.29/hr base
25th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base
75th Percentile$71,500$34.38/hr base
90th Percentile$86,500$41.59/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

$53,700
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,700
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NJ 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,909After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,659Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,689Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,264 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$1,419 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,108 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wage Percentiles in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$15.29/hr$2,650$31,800$27,262
25th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$32,101
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$25.82/hr$4,475$53,700$43,909
75th Percentile$34.38/hr$5,958$71,500$56,728
90th Percentile$41.59/hr$7,208$86,500$66,363

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$53,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,645Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.23.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio53.4%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $53,700, which equates to approximately $4,475 per month or $25.82 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $25.82 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $41.59/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Trenton-Princeton, NJ span from $31,800 at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 25th, $71,500 at the 75th, and $86,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On a median gross salary of $53,700, an estimated $43,909 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,689 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,791 (an effective rate of 18.2%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On the median annual salary of $53,700, gross monthly income is $4,475. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,659 per month (or $1,689 every two weeks).

Is $53,700 a good salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

At $53,700, the median salary for auto mechanics is 53.4% of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ median household income ($100,645). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.2, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.