Jobs in auto manufacturing include technicians, plant supervisors, and inspectors. In any role, you ensure a complete auto manufacturing process, from car and truck part assembly to vehicle production. Your duties as a manufacturing technician or engineer may include assembling vehicle parts, working machinery that assembles complex parts, and performing routine maintenance to machinery. Quality assurance inspectors check each motor, filter, steering mechanism, and the vehicle as a whole to ensure proper quality and safety standards. As a plant supervisor, you oversee assembly or production at a manufacturing facility.

The qualifications you need for a job in auto manufacturing vary. If you work as a technician, you may need to complete an associate’s degree or a training program. In any role, you should be familiar with the equipment used in vehicle production, communication skills, and some knowledge about the assembly of car and truck parts. Manufacturing technicians can typically find a position with on-the-job training to enhance their skills. Quality assurance inspectors and plant supervisors need experience working in an auto manufacturing plant. You need advanced qualifications to work as an engineer in the auto manufacturing industry, including a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

High Paying Auto Manufacturing Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Auto Manufacturing positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Chassis Engineer
Salary range: $80,000 - $133,000
A chassis engineer’s responsibilities are to design, analyze, and test structural systems, steering, brakes, hydraulics, and suspensions in vehicles. In this career, you are responsible for assisting with the architectural design of the chassis system. You are also responsible for conducting investigations and drive failure analysis on found problems. You monitor and analyze data from various tests you administer on different components of the vehicle to ensure proper function. Additional duties are to create technical reports from data and analysis, manage costs, mentor junior engineers, and communicate with the chassis group and affiliates to investigate found issues.
Automotive Consultant
Salary range: $42,000 - $125,000
Automotive consultants, or automotive sales consultants, are employed by auto dealerships to sell cars to their customers. These consultants are responsible for many aspects of the vehicle sales process which includes arranging for test drives and matching customers with the right vehicles. They are specially trained to identify the customer’s needs through detailed profiling. Their qualifications include knowing expert sales strategies to overcome common buyer objections to purchasing a car. Automotive consultants have in-depth knowledge about their products and can communicate the benefits of these automobiles to people from all walks of life.
Body Design Engineer
Salary range: $74,500 - $111,500
The majority of Body Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $74,500 (25th percentile) and $111,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Body Design Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Dimensional Engineer
Salary range: $76,000 - $110,000
A dimensional engineer works in manufacturing fields, particularly the automotive industry, and helps to design new or updated production processes through the analysis of data. As a dimensional engineer, your primary responsibilities include designing components for the assembly process to increase productivity and safety. Your daily duties may involve analyzing data, identifying problems in the manufacturing process, and documenting case studies. You may also perform statistical reporting and use simulation tools for planning.
Automotive Hardware Engineer
Salary range: $90,000 - $110,000
The majority of Automotive Hardware Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $110,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Hardware Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Powertrain Engineer
Salary range: $85,500 - $102,500
A powertrain engineer works in the automotive industry to design transportation, such as cars, motorbikes, or commercial vehicles. In this career, you focus on the aesthetics and technical performance of powertrain components as well as the electronics and software used in modern vehicles. Your job duties include calculating project budgets and timescales, building prototypes and conducting tests, interpreting data, finding high-quality materials to use, and conducting research on parts. You are also responsible for answering client questions and complying with their needs. Qualifications for this career include an engineering degree and experience with design.
Powertrain Design Engineer
Salary range: $81,000 - $89,500
The majority of Powertrain Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $81,000 (25th percentile) and $89,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Powertrain Design Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Automotive Product Engineer
Salary range: $81,000 - $89,500
The majority of Automotive Product Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $81,000 (25th percentile) and $89,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Product Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Powertrain Calibration Engineer
Salary range: $65,000 - $88,000
The majority of Powertrain Calibration Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $88,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Powertrain Calibration Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Vehicle Cost Engineer
Salary range: $86,000 - $86,500
The majority of Vehicle Cost Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $86,000 (25th percentile) and $86,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Cost Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
Salary range: $79,500 - $84,000
The majority of Vehicle Dynamics Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $79,500 (25th percentile) and $84,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Dynamics Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Automotive Project Engineer
Salary range: $42,000 - $81,500
The majority of Automotive Project Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $81,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Project Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Automotive Designer
Salary range: $63,000 - $80,000
An automotive designer is a creative professional that works in the automobile industry. Automotive designers are responsible for designing nearly all aspects of a car, including both external and internal components. As an automotive designer, your job duties revolve around using software like AutoCAD to create plans that can then be executed by the manufacturing team. You work with a creative team of designers to ensure you have a cohesive product that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Body Engineer
Salary range: $72,000 - $80,000
The majority of Body Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Body Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Engine Research Engineer
Salary range: $71,000 - $74,000
The majority of Engine Research Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Engine Research Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Automotive Engineer
Salary range: $64,500 - $72,000
Automotive engineers design, develop, and test the mechanical components and subsystems of vehicles. As an automotive engineer, you may be asked to create engineering specifications, conduct design reviews, provide technical direction to other staff, modify existing parts in a lab, or perform various analyses. In some cases, automotive engineers perform emergency tests and checks to search for manufacturing defects and decide whether or not a recall should be ordered.
Vehicle Calibration Engineer
Salary range: $65,000 - $65,000
The majority of Vehicle Calibration Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $65,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Calibration Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Automotive Engineering Technician
Salary range: $42,000 - $60,000
The majority of Automotive Engineering Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Engineering Technician job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Automotive Product Specialist
Salary range: $33,000 - $50,000
As an automotive product specialist, you listen to customers’ needs, wants, and previous vehicle problems, and then help them select a new or used vehicle at a dealership. Or, you may provide additional resources to help them make a decision later with online tools that give details about available packages and features. You prepare showroom vehicles featuring the latest technology upgrades and must be ready to explain each in detail, including additional options, services, and performance features. Other duties include building long-term, positive relationships with your customers and offering flexible schedule availability to cater to them as much as possible and improve customer retention. Responsibilities include generating leads, setting appointments, and managing email leads, and you must stay updated on vehicle production developments.
Dimensional Inspector
Salary range: $42,500 - $49,000
The majority of Dimensional Inspector salaries across the United States currently range between $42,500 (25th percentile) and $49,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Dimensional Inspector job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Truck Assembler
Salary range: $37,000 - $44,500
The majority of Truck Assembler salaries across the United States currently range between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $44,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Truck Assembler job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Tire Builder
Salary range: $35,000 - $42,500
The majority of Tire Builder salaries across the United States currently range between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $42,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Tire Builder job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Automotive Assembler
Salary range: $31,500 - $42,000
The majority of Automotive Assembler salaries across the United States currently range between $31,500 (25th percentile) and $42,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Assembler job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
Automotive Production Worker
Salary range: $31,000 - $37,000
The majority of Automotive Production Worker salaries across the United States currently range between $31,000 (25th percentile) and $37,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Production Worker job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Automotive Manufacturer
Salary range: $27,000 - $27,000
An Automotive Manufacturer, also known as a Manufacturing Engineer, is an engineer who helps design a car and then supervises the manufacturing of said vehicle from conception to production to final delivery to the customer. Specifically, they are responsible for designing the systems, processes, and machines used to build automobiles and deliver them to the final customer. There are a handful of different roles in which an Automotive Manufacturer could work, including tooling design, logistics and materials planning, robotics, manufacturing systems, test design and development, and final assembly testing. In this role, you can choose a specialization—like aerodynamics—and work with a team of engineers to design and build the automobile together.

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