If we look at the financial picture, auto repair establishments typically charge shop labor rates approaching $100 an hour if not more. Yet most mechanic salaries are intentionally held to very low levels (i.e. $7-$25 an hour). And many highly qualified mechanics are gradually being replaced by lower cost illegal immigrant labor. After all, why pay $25 an hour for an ASE Certified Master Technician when you can hire THREE hardworking illegals for the same money? These dynamics are designed to keep most mechanics too poor to open their own auto repair businesses.

Some mechanics try to conduct business on the street, in parking lots or in home garages if they have them. But this severely limits them. This situation has caused many highly qualified mechanics to leave the field! As I said before, I am one of them. Auto Mechanic has become a low-pay job for suckers! I hope that answers your question!

I’ve worked in the automotive service field for over thirty years and done a wide range of repairs on cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment and even generator sets. I’ve been in dealerships, fleets and independant shops. I’ve been New York State licensed vehicle inspector and I am currently certified as a Master Technician by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Many highly knowledgable Automotive Mechanic-Technicians are NOT highly paid despite excellent diagnostic ability. In fact, under the flat-rate commission systems that many shops use, diagnostic work can actually REDUCE a Mechanic-Technician’s pay! The article seems to confuse the term “Auto Mechanic” with auto repair shop owners. They are NOT the same! Today in New York City year 2010, there are positions for “Master Automotive Technician” paying a paltry $14 an hour! Compensation for most “Auto Mechanic” jobs runs from a low of about $7 an hour minimum wage (for newbies) to a high of about $25 an hour for experienced Master Mechanic-Technicians. Many experienced people are leaving the field due to low pay issues. I am one of them.

I think that people just hate tax, all aspects of it including paying for it to be paid! If it were biblical times, I would be a tax collector – one of the most hated people!

Re teachers: that was my first career! We have a lack of teachers, and I agree that they get paid pretty poorly. There once was a time when teachers were among the most respected of our community. Now they have to increasingly fill the role of parents, and cop a lot of abuse, for very little pay, particularly in comparison with others who have had the same level of education.

Not that I’m anti capitalist (not interested in the alternative!) but it’s sad how we insist on equating ‘value’ with money at the ‘expense’ of all other perspectives.

On tax preparation, do you think that the software packages (some very good) that are sold by Turbo Tax and H&R Block (TaxCut) have contributed to people wanting the service performed very cheaply?

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