How much does an auto shop owner make?
John Johnson
Updated on February 25, 2026
Auto Repair Owner Salary
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $79,500 | $6,625 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,500 | $4,625 |
| Average | $50,690 | $4,224 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,500 | $2,541 |
How much does it cost to open a auto body shop?
Additional startup costs to consider include your business licenses and certifications, insurance, hiring employees, and shop rental or mortgage fees. You should expect to spend at least $50,000 to get your shop up and running.
Is owning an auto shop good?
Owning an auto body or repair shop can be a profitable endeavor, especially since it is something that cannot go “out of style” and it is something needed year-round not seasonally. For many auto shop owners, they began as mechanics and eventually decided to transition to the owner, starting their own shops.
Are body shops profitable?
According to Body Shop Business, profit margins on parts sales typically average between 20 and 28 percent, while labor profit margins range between 50 and 65 percent (Source). Accurately allocating and tracking the amount of time needed to complete jobs is key to running a lean and profitable auto shop.
Is owning a auto repair shop profitable?
How much profit can a car repair shop make? According to US News, mechanics make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year. So, a one-man shop could expect to make around this much. The owner of a larger shop can easily make $100,000+ per year by managing a small team of mechanics.
How long does it take to get ASE certified?
The process to become ASE Certified is not an easy feat. In order to attain ASE Certification, technicians must complete a minimum of 2 years of qualified work experience and pass a challenging test for each certification.
How to open your own auto repair shop?
How to Open an Auto Repair Shop 1 Get Certified Before Opening a Mechanic Shop 2 Choose a Specialty (If Any) 3 Location Is Everything 4 Get the Funding and Supplies 5 Handle the Legal Requirements 6 Price Your Auto Services Wisely 7 Advertise Your Auto Shop
Do you need an education to open an auto shop?
You don’t technically need any education to open an auto shop, but your business will garner a certain amount of respect if your mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
How to start your own auto body business?
One of the best ways to ensure a small business will be successful is planning ahead. Even if you’re fully capable of top notch auto body work, starting a business requires substantial research, analysis, and consideration. In short, have a thorough business plan in place before committing to opening a business of your own.
Is it worth opening an auto body shop?
Opening an auto body shop can be a personally rewarding and financially lucrative business decision. However, knowing how to make a vehicle look like new isn’t enough to ensure business success.
