U.S Auto Manufacturing Jobs and Wages - June 2025

Written By Robert Espinoza

Last Updated: June 26, 2025

How Many Auto Manufacturing Jobs Are Available in the U.S.?

As of May 2025, there are just under one million auto manufacturing jobs in the U.S. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, motor vehicles and parts manufacturing employed 999,700 workers—reflecting both long-term shifts and short-term signs of stabilization.

That’s 22,400 fewer jobs than a year ago. But in May, we finally saw a small step in the other direction: a gain of 400 jobs month over month. Not a dramatic rebound—but after months of steady declines, even a modest uptick is worth noting.

While this report focuses on motor vehicles and parts manufacturing, we’ve also included updates from related sectors—like automobile dealers and parts retailers—to give a fuller picture of employment trends across the U.S. automotive industry.

Source: Automotive Industry: Employment, Earnings, and Hours : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

National Employment: Down Year-over-Year, but Holding Steady in May

The year-over-year dip follows broader industry changes—automation, EV production shifts, and some regional relocations. But in May, we saw a bump in hiring and an increase in weekly work hours. That suggests output is being maintained, even with fewer people on payroll.

Meanwhile, automotive retail and repair jobs continue to grow:

  • Motor vehicle and parts dealers reached 2,061,800 jobs (+11,100 YoY, +200 MoM)

  • Automobile dealers added 2,100 jobs from April to May

These aren’t factory roles, but they’re essential to the industry and offer job opportunities—especially for those transitioning from production or looking for year-round work.

Regional Trends: The Midwest Shrinks, the South Holds

State-level data shows some clear movement:

  • Michigan lost 1,400 vehicle manufacturing jobs and 7,000 parts jobs year over year

  • Indiana, Ohio, and California also posted declines

  • Alabama added 400 vehicle jobs and 200 parts jobs

  • Kentucky and Texas held steady

It lines up with what we’ve seen in recent months: the Midwest is seeing slowdowns, while the South—especially Alabama and Kentucky—is gaining ground in automotive hiring.

Wage Trends: Long-Term Growth with a Few Short-Term Dips

Wages for production and nonsupervisory workers in motor vehicles and parts manufacturing averaged $32.21/hour in May 2025—up from $30.86 in May 2024.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • Motor vehicles and parts manufacturing: $32.21/hour

  • Motor vehicle manufacturing: $39.09/hour

  • Parts manufacturing: $30.41/hour

Month to month, there were a few shifts. Vehicle manufacturing wages dipped slightly (from $40.59 in April), while parts manufacturing nudged upward. It’s probably just a seasonal shift—not a sign that wages are going backward.

Weekly Hours: Higher Workloads, Same Headcounts

Here’s another telling signal: workers are clocking longer hours. Weekly averages rose to 43.4 hours in May, up from 42.5 in April.

When hours go up but headcounts don’t, that usually means companies are leaning on their current crews to meet demand. It’s a typical move during cautious periods—output stays high, but hiring lags behind.

What It Means for Employers, Job Seekers

So, how many auto manufacturing jobs are available in the U.S.? Just under one million—and while that’s slightly below last year, short-term signals are steady.

For employers:
Short-term stabilization could present an opportunity to recalibrate hiring plans. Southern states are emerging as key talent markets—especially for newer EV and battery production roles.

For job seekers:
Wages remain strong, and longer shifts may translate to higher take-home pay. Auto retail and service jobs continue to grow steadily, offering alternative career paths.

One thing that really stood out: while manufacturing jobs dipped, auto dealer employment continued to grow. That shows consumer demand is still strong even as production adjusts. Many dealerships are hiring to handle more service visits, parts sales, and used vehicle activity. For job seekers and staffing partners, it’s a good reminder—some of the most resilient jobs right now might not be on the factory floor.

June 2025 Update: Automaker Investments & Hiring Signals

Several major developments in June 2025 reinforce the long-term direction of the industry:

Ford, in a nationally aired ad during the NBA Finals on June 16, leaned into its brand as the most American carmaker. The ad criticized competitors who accepted government bailouts in 2008 and highlighted Ford’s decision to turn them down. The company emphasized that it added thousands of hourly jobs in the U.S. since the recession—4,500 according to internal data—and now leads the Detroit Three in hourly domestic employment.

Meanwhile, GM announced a $4 billion investment across Michigan, Tennessee, and Kansas to shift production of vehicles like the Chevy Equinox and Blazer from Mexico to the U.S. by 2027.

These moves don’t point to an overnight hiring boom—but they do send a clear message. Automakers are doubling down on U.S. workforce strategy. For states like Michigan, Tennessee, and Kansas, that could mean more job opportunities ahead. More broadly, this reflects a strategic reset—not a retreat—and signals long-term confidence in domestic production despite ongoing industry pressures

Final Thought

May didn’t deliver a dramatic rebound—but it also didn’t confirm a continued slide. The industry seems to be pausing, adapting, and preparing for what’s next.

For employers and workforce partners, now’s the time to stay nimble. The companies that stay close to local market trends and worker expectations will be better positioned as this reset unfolds.

Have questions or hiring needs in the automotive space? Get in touch with Timpl’s team

Stay tuned for next month’s update, where we break down new BLS data and what it means for the workforce.

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