I have a question:Automobile mechanics make fifty some odd dollars an hour, flat rate.FAA/PMA certified mechanics make slightly more than half of that.An auto repair shop tech gets a repair order. He surveys the job. The faster he works the more money he makes. Bolts get stripped or forgotten, he has no clue as to how to go about troubleshooting so he invents some weird problem so he gets paid normal wage.I had to be FAA/PMA certified to work on aircraft charging, starting and electrical. In that area there is (or was) -zero- latitude for incompetence.Celso, the local mechanico shakes his head when i tell him stuff like this."The Americanos, they must have too much money".

I think you are mistaking what a shop charges vs. what the technician is paid.

My local truck shop charges me $65.00 per hour so I doubt if they are giving the mechanic $50.00.I have had nothing but excellent service from them with no game playing.Perhaps you should develop your shopping skills when looking for a mechanic in the states/Canada.

California, shop labor rate 110 dollars a hour, mechanic makes 50% Sorta pricey driving a few thousand miles to save 30 dollars an hour or so.

Sounds like a union shop to me.

Not many mechanics make more that $25. Most shops around here charge around $100. Most shops also estimate from the flat rate book and pay the mechanic on that so if the book says 2.5 hours for a water pump and he does it in 1.5 hours, he just got an hours bonus. Good mechanics (with $25K worth of tools he bought on credit) can hustle and get paid 50-55 hours and work 40. And the shop pays workmans comp, health care, water and electric, liability insurance, etc.

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Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I have a question:

Automobile mechanics make fifty some odd dollars an hour, flat rate.

FAA/PMA certified mechanics make slightly more than half of that.

An auto repair shop tech gets a repair order. He surveys the job. The faster he works the more money he makes. Bolts get stripped or forgotten, he has no clue as to how to go about troubleshooting so he invents some weird problem so he gets paid normal wage.

I had to be FAA/PMA certified to work on aircraft charging, starting and electrical. In that area there is (or was) -zero- latitude for incompetence.

Celso, the local mechanico shakes his head when i tell him stuff like this.

"The Americanos, they must have too much money".
You have no clue as to what you are talking about! Your remarks about automotive techs are also insulting! I suggest putting brain in gear before you open mouth.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2014
Not many mechanics make more that $25. Most shops around here charge around $100. Most shops also estimate from the flat rate book and pay the mechanic on that so if the book says 2.5 hours for a water pump and he does it in 1.5 hours, he just got an hours bonus. Good mechanics (with $25K worth of tools he bought on credit) can hustle and get paid 50-55 hours and work 40. And the shop pays workmans comp, health care, water and electric, liability insurance, etc.
Donnoh
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
Sounds like a union shop to me.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
California, shop labor rate 110 dollars a hour, mechanic makes 50% Sorta pricey driving a few thousand miles to save 30 dollars an hour or so.
darsben
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2014
My local truck shop charges me $65.00 per hour so I doubt if they are giving the mechanic $50.00.
I have had nothing but excellent service from them with no game playing.
Perhaps you should develop your shopping skills when looking for a mechanic in the states/Canada.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2014
I think you are mistaking what a shop charges vs. what the technician is paid.

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