Motorcycle mechanics salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $48,580 | $23.35 |
| Mean (average) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| 90th percentile | $74,400 | $35.77 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Motorcycle mechanics pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 46 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,670 | $31,110 | $68,210 | 270 | 1.45 |
| Alaska | $45,500 | $37,650 | $69,860 | 220 | 7.77 |
| Arizona | $44,190 | $36,740 | $80,690 | 240 | 0.85 |
| Arkansas | $47,350 | $38,520 | $59,850 | 180 | 1.57 |
| California | $57,040 | $36,910 | $76,070 | 1,730 | 1.09 |
| Colorado | $56,850 | $37,940 | $77,300 | 420 | 1.67 |
| Connecticut | $51,970 | $40,710 | $72,080 | 100 | 0.68 |
| Florida | $48,700 | $34,330 | $67,840 | 730 | 0.85 |
| Georgia | $43,050 | $32,700 | $60,900 | 250 | 0.58 |
| Hawaii | $46,390 | $45,310 | $62,150 | 30 | 0.6 |
| Idaho | $43,470 | $28,720 | $72,800 | 130 | 1.72 |
| Illinois | $41,630 | $36,710 | $59,320 | 290 | 0.55 |
| Indiana | $45,470 | $31,140 | $65,140 | 430 | 1.54 |
| Iowa | $44,840 | $32,770 | $72,800 | 300 | 2.25 |
| Kansas | Data unavailable | 260 | 2.08 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,220 | $30,780 | $62,730 | 200 | 1.13 |
| Maine | $48,380 | $36,830 | $62,840 | 100 | 1.77 |
| Maryland | $57,640 | $43,830 | $91,520 | 170 | 0.72 |
| Massachusetts | $48,940 | $43,890 | $65,410 | ||
| Michigan | $40,100 | $25,960 | $63,960 | 310 | 0.82 |
| Minnesota | $58,280 | $46,840 | $70,040 | 350 | 1.36 |
| Mississippi | $45,710 | $29,380 | $64,100 | 160 | 1.54 |
| Montana | $47,130 | $38,410 | $60,270 | 140 | 3.26 |
| Nebraska | $50,170 | $38,420 | $64,810 | 40 | 0.46 |
| Nevada | $60,450 | $39,180 | $75,920 | 110 | 0.85 |
| New Hampshire | $62,890 | $48,020 | $72,340 | 130 | 2.14 |
| New Jersey | $59,430 | $47,350 | $79,890 | 260 | 0.69 |
| New Mexico | $46,610 | $31,560 | $73,840 | 70 | 0.9 |
| New York | $54,770 | $37,620 | $84,950 | 270 | 0.32 |
| North Carolina | $48,670 | $34,120 | $65,900 | 440 | 1.03 |
| North Dakota | $50,170 | $38,260 | $76,410 | 110 | 2.88 |
| Ohio | $44,280 | $30,110 | $62,450 | 520 | 1.09 |
| Oklahoma | $44,740 | $31,220 | $59,740 | 240 | 1.64 |
| Oregon | $58,040 | $39,900 | $115,910 | 160 | 0.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,050 | $37,010 | $75,150 | 490 | 0.92 |
| South Carolina | $52,160 | $30,680 | $64,440 | 220 | 1.11 |
| South Dakota | $46,490 | $37,310 | $65,040 | 200 | 4.95 |
| Tennessee | $47,300 | $35,740 | $60,570 | 320 | 1.12 |
| Texas | $53,330 | $34,360 | $75,470 | 1,170 | 0.96 |
| Utah | $43,820 | $34,340 | $76,540 | 170 | 1.14 |
| Vermont | $48,970 | $39,330 | $56,530 | 60 | 2.1 |
| Virginia | $49,400 | $35,960 | $78,350 | 300 | 0.83 |
| Washington | $51,970 | $38,760 | $84,630 | 300 | 0.98 |
| West Virginia | $37,450 | $24,060 | $65,090 | 200 | 3.26 |
| Wisconsin | $48,190 | $35,970 | $74,170 | 550 | 2.14 |
| Wyoming | $39,520 | $37,290 | $76,100 | 70 | 2.91 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for motorcycle mechanics
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.5%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for motorcycle mechanics
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
- Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
- Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
- Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
- Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
- Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.
- Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement, or alignment of parts, visually or using gauges.
- Repair or adjust motorcycle subassemblies, such as forks, transmissions, brakes, or drive chains, according to specifications.
Technology skills
- Apple iOS (hot technology)
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- AbbottSoft QuickFix
- DealerTrax ShopOrder
- Inventory tracking software
- LightSpeed Cloud
- Santa Maria Software Counterman Pro
- TRACKUM Repair Manager
Transferable skills for career changers: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.
Common job titles: All Terrain Vehicle Technician (ATV Technician), Custom Bike Builder, Motorcycle Mechanic, Motorcycle Service Technician, Motorcycle Technician, Motorsports Technician, Scooter Mechanic, Service Technician.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motorcycle mechanics make?
The national median annual wage for motorcycle mechanics was $48,580 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,770 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $74,400. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do motorcycle mechanics need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is motorcycle mechanics a growing career?
BLS projects employment of motorcycle mechanics to change +2.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay motorcycle mechanics the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New Hampshire ($62,890), Nevada ($60,450), New Jersey ($59,430). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.