Automotive careers involve manufacturing, wholesale and retail sales, plus repair and maintenance of cars. While most careers in the auto industry pay much more than minimum wage, there are five that stand apart, according to pay information for April 2009 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
The highest-paid workers in the auto industry work in motor vehicle manufacturing, earning an average hourly rate of $26.82. Employees in this sector work at automotive assembly plants to build American cars and typically belong to labor unions.
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
The field that is second-highest paid is manufacturing of motor vehicle parts, which involves constructing individual working pieces that form automobiles, such as engines, transmissions and fuel systems. Employees in this field earn an average of $20.76 per hour.
Automotive Sales
The third-highest paid workers sell automobiles at car dealerships, where the average hourly pay is $17.59.
Motor Vehicle Bodies and Trailers
Workers who build the metal bodies of vehicles and trailers are the fourth-highest paid, with an hourly rate of $17.15.
Wholesale
Wholesale involves selling vehicles and parts to retailers, which in turn sell them to consumers. Workers in this field earn an average of $16.94 per hour, making them the fifth-highest paid in the auto industry.
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