Marine Technician wanted

[mactlman]

Just curious what everyone thinks a competent certified marine tech is worth per hour, in todays market?

i have auto techs making 40-135k per yr and all in between

[I.P. Freely]

Just curious what everyone thinks a competent certified marine tech is worth per hour, in today’s market?

???
“In the Atlanta, GA area, as of March 15, 2025, the average salary for a certified marine technician ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, with hourly rates potentially reaching $40 to $60”







Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Annual Salary:
  
  • Range: $50,000 - $100,000
    
  • Average: Around $55,632
    
  • Hourly Rate:
    
    • Average: $28.45 per hour
      
    • Range: $25 - $40 per hour
      
    • Potential High End: $70 per hour
  
  
  
  
  

[Chadsc]

From my experience: There are very few folks in this particular generation that are going in to "service with your hands" trades. Not going to get in to the deep logistics, but the days of folks that worked for years to learn a craft or a trade inside and out, and then practice it with pride for decades are GONE.

Heck... these days you're lucky to find someone that just shows up.

Question, I run a plumbing, air and electric company in the same area. What are yall seeing as far as starting wages for completely green folks in the industry. Apprentices for us seem to be slowing slightly, but nothing burning the doors down by any stetch.

[Amistad Tackle]

I follow a few auto shops on YouTube. They are practically begging for people to come to work for them as there is a shortage of competent mechanics. It’s hard work and it takes training and brains. Not a lot of today’s youth are up to the challenge. Imagine it’s the same in the marine industry. In my area it is hard to find a decent marine mechanic.

According to AI: A national shortage of auto technicians and mechanics exists, with the industry needing to replace nearly 76,000 technicians annually to keep up with retirements and new job demand, while only about 39,000 graduate from training programs each year, leading to a shortfall of around 37,000.

[CJ1]

As Euroam is saying, it is hard just to find young ones just to show up. Also it depends on the area you live in as far as wage. It didn't take me long to figure out that in most areas mechanics are not appreciated and "normal" jobs pay just as good without having to bring 100k worth of tools with you to "buy" your job. I doubled my wages and drive a company vehicle by selling the stuff to fix heavy equipment vs doing it. I now have set hours 5 days a week, don't work weekends and holidays any more or when stuff was broke down. My back is trash from heavy lifting and being bent over car fenders for years. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that in my area a good mechanic unless self employed won't have a good time with life. Sad but true. Cj

[Facemelter]

Took my automotive training at Universal Tech in AZ, after general auto I took Ford FACT training. Came back home and went to work for a local dealer. I got along with everyone except the dispatcher, since I was young he hated my guts and took care of his three guys (out of 10) in the shop and I was stuck with crap work. I talked to the Service Manager, nothing he was willing to even look into to try to help me out. Those three guys probly grossed 150k a year with all their gravy work they were spoon fed. Two years of that was enough.

Did I expect to walk into a shop making what they make, nope, but freezing me out with only a few hours on a paycheck made sure I didn't stick around.

For the hourly rate of shops, they should be able to afford paying techs a reasonable wage. Between service advisors chopping techs off at the legs because they found a work around for longer paying jobs and warranty saying a legit 6 hour job pays 4 is bull.

Bottom line, shops need to pay more for good techs.

[OH_Ranger]

Question, I run a plumbing, air and electric company in the same area. What are yall seeing as far as starting wages for completely green folks in the industry. Apprentices for us seem to be slowing slightly, but nothing burning the doors down by any stetch.

Commercial construction. Start in the low $20 per hour with free insurance. This is in a low cost of living area.

[bigal74848]

Facmelter - exactly why I quit working on them and became service manager. Straw that made the decision was a 15 hour repair on a vech that had 135k for mileage that service manager decide to "warranty job" it and my hours were cut to 8 hrs. As service manager trying to be fair to all techs as far as hours had its own issues and from the experienced techs who thought the should get all the "fat" jobs. I love working on cars but would never go back to being a commission tech.

[SteezMacQueen]

Salaries where it’s at fellas!
I have worked for CarToys, House Of Hotrods, Gas Monkey, now Caddy’s Customs. Take home $2000 a week. I’m old though, so I take a lot of breaks. Haha. My work and reputation speak for themselves and I have not looked for a job since I was 17 years old. If you work hard, pay attention to details, never stop learning, anyone can make a good living. If you are REALLY good at what you do, doesn’t matter what it is, you can make a great living doing it.

I build custom cars. I make my shop around $2500-$3000 a week in labor, they profit about $500-$1000’a week by having me there. It’s a win win. When I want to go fishing, I go. When I want a vacation, I take one.


I feel like if someone was really good at marine mechanics, they could make a fortune….if they came to work everyday, don’t have dependence issues (drugs alcohol), and simply did quality work. It really is that easy.

most of the ones I’ve seen over the years that complain about not making money deserve to NOT make money. Haha.