How much does a bike mechanic make?
a year · about $21 an hour
A typical bike mechanic in the United States makes $42,780 a year, about $21 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A bike mechanic listens to a rider, checks the bike, then adjusts brakes or gears, aligns a wheel, or fixes a tire. They explain repairs, write service tickets, order parts, and may take a test ride.
Did you know? The Wright brothers ran a bicycle-repair shop in Dayton, Ohio, and used its workshop to build the 1903 Wright Flyer.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,220 and $55,000How do you become one?
In the US, a high-school diploma or GED is a common starting point; many get a shop job or registered bicycle-repair apprenticeship and learn hands-on from experienced mechanics. Some add brand- or component-specific courses and certificates as they build their skills.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and useful skills—such as suspension or brake work—can affect pay, and some shops value brand- or part-specific certificates. Pay can also differ by employer or industry, local area, and hours worked.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Arizona ($53,970), lowest in Illinois ($37,560).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,220 | $42,780 | $55,000 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $53,970 | about 610 |
| New York | $47,750 | about 970 |
| Colorado | $47,620 | about 730 |
| Oregon | $45,600 | about 570 |
| California | $45,120 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Repair and service bicycles.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/interview/bicycle-repairer.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3091.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes493091.htm
- kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ten-fun-facts-about-bikes
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY