If you love automotive technology, then pursuing an automotive technician job makes a lot of sense. Of course, you’ll want to know how much you can expect to earn in terms of an auto mechanic salary in the state of Hawaii. The national average for auto mechanics is just over $40,000, but a mechanic in Hawaii can expect to earn $42,830 on average, which is slightly above the mean for the nation as a whole. With that being said, this is only an average. There are quite a few different factors that will affect your earnings, beginning with your education, training and certification.
Get started on the right foot
The key to getting into the industry as an auto mechanic is to complete auto mechanic school. Generally, these are short courses designed to teach you the basics of what you’ll need to know for entry-level jobs in the industry. There are actually several schools in Hawaii where you can learn these skills, including the following:
After completing your coursework, you’ll earn your certification and have the knowledge needed to get started. However, your training and education should not end there. You can and should pursue higher certifications. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification is the gold standard for the industry, and you will find that both dealerships and private shops are willing to pay more for an ASE master certified technician. There are quite a few different certification courses you can pursue, which allows you to specialize and potentially earn an even higher auto mechanic salary.
If you intend to work with a branded dealership, rather than in a private shop, you should also consider completing dealership certification courses. More and more automakers are now requiring that mechanics working at branded dealerships complete dealer certification courses. These courses focus on the technology and design used in the automaker’s vehicles, so completing the course will allow you to specialize that much more.
Supplement your income with work as a mobile mechanic
Once you have completed your initial training, follow up by completing higher-level certification courses. Pay attention to where you’re applying for auto technician jobs, as well. With planning and care, you can embark on a rewarding career that offers a very good annual salary.
While there are many career options for mechanics, one option you might consider is working with YourMechanic as a mobile mechanic. YourMechanic technicians earn up to $60 an hour and complete all work onsite at the car owner's location. As a mobile mechanic, you control your schedule, set your service area, and serve as your own boss. Learn more and apply.
