Automotive Industry Workers

Salaries vary widely for automotive industry workers depending on their job and how long they've been with the company.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that automotive industry workers earned the following average hourly earnings (by sector) in May 2024:

• motor vehicles manufacturing: $37.26 ($77,501 annually)
• motor vehicle parts manufacturing: $27.73 ($57,678 annually)
• motor vehicle bodies and trailers: $24.72 ($51,418 annually)

The DOL reports the following May 2023 mean annual earnings for workers in motor vehicle manufacturing: industrial production managers, $128,730; machinists, $64,330; inspectors, $63,220; assemblers and fabricators, $56,710; and welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, $54,790.

Earnings are often higher for workers who are members of a union and employed by a Big Three automaker because their earnings are tied to collectively bargained fixed wage scales. In 2023, the average United Auto Workers member earned between $18 to $32 and hour (which translates to a yearly salary range of $37,440 to $66,560), according to the Washington Post. Some union autoworkers earn as much as $100,000 a year because of mandatory overtime and six- or seven-day workweeks.

Workers employed by large, unionized companies such as Ford and Stellantis enjoy good benefits, including paid health insurance, paid holidays, sick days, and personal days. Large employers generally offer retirement plans and many match workers' contributions to retirement funds. Automotive industry workers who work for independent parts manufacturers may not enjoy the comprehensive benefit programs that employees of large companies do, but generally are offered health insurance and paid personal days.