Is it WORTH Becoming a Mechanic in 2024

Is it WORTH becoming a mechanic in 2024 and beyond? I get asked all the time if it's smart to become an auto mechanic. Should I go to tech school? Can I make money flat rate? Should I be a flat rate mechanic? Will being a mechanic kill my love of cars? Is being an auto mechanic a good job. Do mechanic's get screwed? All the questions lead back to "Should I become a mechanic?

Thank you to Lucas and Chris for their takes follow them
Filmed and edited by the best video dude in the biz, Ray Youman

~~~~ Support the Show ~~~~

~~~~ Recommended Tools ~~~~

~~~~ Playlists ~~~~

~~~~ Be sure to follow me at ~~~~

Disclimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[HumbleMechanic]

This can be a very hot button topic for folks. Let's keep it civil if we can . Thanks also to Lucas and Chris for their views. Also id love to hear yout why or why not. A simple no is good, but why is even better.

[Eric-kucy]

If working on cars is your hobby, it won't be your hobby for long if you become a technician. It's hard to enjoy working on cars in your free time when you've already spent 8 hours working on vehicles.

[gabrielwright]

WHY would I ever want to be a mechanic when the Paul install option is SO AFFORDABLE?!?!

[donovansimison]

Former tech here. It’s not worth it. Not even close. Make it a hobby. Pick another trade that pays much better.

[hovanyourjunk]

My dad is 76 years old…he’s been a mechanic for over 50 years! He started in the early early 70s as a VW specialist working at a dealership in North Jersey. He eventually opened up his own shop in the early 80s and has been plugging away ever since, he’s the hardest working man I ever met. I’ll never forget holding onto the holy sh!t dash bar in his orange bug while he ripped through the gears. Even though he never became super successful, he’s built an amazing reputation and he’s always loved his shop! He’s there all the time tinkering away. He takes care of his customers and they all love him. Since he’s pushing 80, my mom is on him to close up and sell it. But we’re all worried that it might not be the best thing for him. He worked straight through all his chemo treatments last year…he’s a tough SOB. And if he does sell it, I’m gonna have to start paying for repairs! Lol. My hero! I love you Pops!

[nickottinger]

Another thing to touch on is the heat. It may not be an issue for dealer techs, I’ve never worked for a dealership, but I’ve worked in independent shops for 19 years now, a lot of people aren’t cut out for the heat. I’ve never worked in an air conditioned shop. I’ve seen people quit because of it. It’s hard and it’s something a lot of people don’t think about.

[Dan_the_car_man]

Haven’t watched the video yet but as a SM ford tech for the last 10 years all I gotta say is keep it as a hobby. My back and knees hurt, I’m bald and I’m only 30. It has killed my love and joy for cars. You will make a good living though! These cars are getting harder and harder to fix and labor keeps going down.

[scottrice]

Yeah. I had a bad experience. VW dealer told me I needed a new DSG. 2013 Jetta TDI. My complaint was hesitation upon acceleration. I paid the diag fee grabbed my car and left. Went to dealer I knew was familiar with TDI. 30 minutes later fixed. Cracked charge air tube. Warrantied. Went back to other dealer got my diag fee back.

[Akwa]

That trick with the pry bar to hold the exhaust pipe 😎👌

[tastyautomotive]

This video came at the right time. Ive been a toyota tech at the same dealer for over 9 years, completed my apprenticeship in canada and became a journeyman. This is the only dealership ive ever known, and after getting mistreated by management for a couple years i decided to take a leap to another dealer and product manufacturer. I start on Tuesday and have been extremely nervous about it. This gave me assurance ive more than likely made the right move. Thank you! 🙏🏽

[rubenm.]

I left being a dealer tech 23 years ago, since then I’ve averaged $75-85k for the first ten years, $75-124k ten years after that and now making $145-165k for the last 3 years. All that by just being a union truck driver. $14 an hour into my pension and 100% employer paid medical/benefits. Best move I ever made.

[ravenrock]

For every bad mechanic story, I have two about customers.
Your average pay claim is total BS. Yes, there are a few who do well. My experience is that every garage has one golden boy they feed and all the rest are on their own.
Twenty-five years in the field, ten year shop owner. Getting out of the field was the best choice of my life.

[Jpz]

I started my career as a Toyota technician and moved to independent couple years later. Did that for close to 10 years and finally moved on to Heavy duty fleet technician. Ive been a hd mechanic for 12 years and by far my home life has been improved greatly. I recommend anyone looking to get into the trade go fleet medium duty/ Heavy duty. Better pay benefits/retirement. Better home life as your work schedule usually is a 8hr day instead of 10hrs.

[joncpeters]

My son is contemplating this question at this very moment. THANK YOU for making this video.

[ChangingTheIndustry]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my perspective!

Our industry is a better place because of you, sir!

[Gixxerfool]

Was in the dealer network for 23 years, the last one for 12. I took a very large pay cut to leave the dealer for a public sector job. Now I am hourly, better benefits, more PTO, better retirement and best of all I do not get beat up from all ends day in and day out. If someone wants to be a mechanic, I always tell them go to a really niche high end or performance shop and get to work on cool stuff all day or go public sector with more options in the long term. The dealer landscape is changing and I do not think in a good way.

[jessestevenson]

I started my mechanic career as a self taught guy as a fleet mechanic at medium sized cities parks department. It paid ok for the time but I’m sure I could make more elsewhere. I decided that wrenching every day was killing my love for cars. After a few detours into other jobs I ended up in quality control in automotive manufacturing! Love it! Pays well, and satisfies my OCD. I do work on cars on the side and spent a large portion of the pandemic buying broken cars on FB marketplace, fixing them and flipping them.

[cardiacdrummer]

I’m no technician, but this is 100% relatable in the medical industry. Compared to the early 2000’s, we now make about 1/3 of what we used to. Demand and clinic burden has skyrocketed, but reimbursement has gone down so much over the years that many people are not becoming specialized physicians b/c it’s just not worth the burnout and time away from family.

[matte]

Leaving the trade was the best decision I’ve made. I did almost 10 years at a dealership, I now work as a shift manager+sales at a local family owned car/truck parts center. We get paid salary plus commission which is guaranteed since we supply to fleets and dealerships and it far exceeds what I was making as a tech. There’s the added bonus of working in a climate controlled environment and no need to buy tools and do online courses on my own time it was a no brainer move. Still work on cars as a side hustle.

[mikehannigan]

There's a lot of shops looking for mechanics in my area, and they're advertising that you can make x amount to almost double x amount...when you advertise that mechanics can make 60ish-149 k but anybody can go talk to your mechanics and find out they aren't even making 45 a year I think we have found the real reason why most people don't want to be mechanics. if a shop guaranteed me 120 a year for 50 hours a week I'd take the job in a heartbeat when mechanics tell me they work up to 60 hours a week and aren't making as much as a school bus driver who works 36 hours a week, gets tons of time off, and collects unemployment in the summer...it's hard to stomach. Maybe when the industry makes the turn to total honesty (for both mechanics and customers) people will be more apt to take the job.