Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn $5,470 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 12.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$33,660$80,850
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,660 | $35,020 | $-1,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,140 | $37,610 | +$530 |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $44,200 | +$5,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,660 | $48,160 | +$17,500 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,850 | $57,830 | +$23,020 |
| Mean (Average) | $55,260 | $44,720 | +$10,540 |
Employment Numbers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
688,840
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| 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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Medical Assistants?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,470 (12.4% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants 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 Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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