According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, automotive mechanics average about $30,000 per year as of 2010, but pay depends on the skill level of the applicant. The job market for this field is expected to grow roughly 17 percent per year until 2020, which puts auto mechanic job growth on par with related fields. Almost 31 percent of those employed by the automotive industry are auto mechanics, making this position more saturated than the job market for auto dealers. Dealerships are likely to offer stronger benefits, but private garages may offer unofficial benefits dealerships cannot or will not.