TRADES Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Mechanic Supervisors

Mechanic Supervisors earn $79,860 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $62,690 and $101,360. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Mechanic Supervisors

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.


Median Wage
$79,860
Employed Nationally
618K
Openings / Year
52,400
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

AC Installer Supervisor (Air-Conditioning Installer Supervisor) AC Supervisor (Air Conditioning Supervisor) Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor Airport Maintenance Chief Airport Skilled Maintenance Supervisor

How Much Do Mechanic Supervisors Make?

Mechanic Supervisors earn $79,860 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,690 and $101,360. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$79,860
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$63K–$101K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Mechanic Supervisors Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Mechanic Supervisors roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
  • Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
  • Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
  • Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
  • Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Monitoring Management of Personnel Resources Judgment and Decision Making Time Management Coordination

Who Thrives Here

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

Where Do Mechanic Supervisors Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for Mechanic Supervisors?

The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Mechanic Supervisors through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 52,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +3.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

About as fast as average.

52,400
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

618K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Mechanic Supervisors professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $79,860 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 68,540 $75,050 -6.0%
2 California 51,520 $89,880 +12.5%
3 Florida 40,290 $72,280 -9.5%
4 New York 27,180 $85,000 +6.4%
5 Georgia 23,480 $75,120 -5.9%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Mechanic Supervisors positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 5 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

High school diploma or equivalent
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Business Administration 395,227 $68,257 2,611
2 Vehicle Maintenance 68,347 $80,809 956
3 Electrical and Power Transmission Installers 29,904 635
4 Mechanics and Repairers 431 20
5 Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians 146 12

Top Colleges for Aspiring Mechanic Supervisors

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT 96
2 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO 96
3 United States Military Academy West Point, NY 96
4 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 93 $3,033 $75,971
5 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 93 $12,548 $82,511
6 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA 93 $13,481 $92,446

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Mechanic Supervisors, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Mechanic Supervisors Pros & Cons

The data on Mechanic Supervisors shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $79,860 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $101,360 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
  • Large, established field 618K people work in this occupation nationally, creating a broad job market with openings spread across every region and industry.
  • Strong annual demand 52,400 job openings per year creates consistent hiring volume even in slower economic cycles. Entry-level candidates have real options throughout the year.
CONS
  • Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for Mechanic Supervisors mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.

Mechanic Supervisors Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mechanic Supervisors professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Mechanic Supervisors is $79,860, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,690 and $101,360. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Mechanic Supervisors a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $79,860 median, with +3.1% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Mechanic Supervisors?
Most Mechanic Supervisors positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Business Administration are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Mechanic Supervisors?
The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Mechanic Supervisors through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 52,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 618K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Mechanic Supervisors professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Mechanic Supervisors roles: Monitoring, Management of Personnel Resources, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, and Coordination. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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