How much does a bike mechanic make?
Answer: A typical bike mechanic in the United States makes $42,780 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Bike mechanic pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a bike mechanic do?
Repair and service bicycles.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
The Wright brothers ran a bicycle-repair shop in Dayton, Ohio, and used its workshop to build the 1903 Wright Flyer.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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