SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

$103,960

Median annual salary

176,420 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $54,290 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 109.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$33,660$212,420

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsEducation Administrators, PostsecondaryDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$63,820$-30,160
25th Percentile$38,140$79,880$-41,740
Median (50th)$49,670$103,960$-54,290
75th Percentile$65,660$140,940$-75,280
90th Percentile$80,850$212,420$-131,570
Mean (Average)$55,260$124,450$-69,190

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

176,420

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary

CityMedian
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$137,490
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$136,880
Rochester, NY$132,150
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$131,910
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$129,330

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,290 (109.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS