What's a reasonable hourly labor rate for an auto mechanic?

As of 2013, the median wage per hour for a mechanic in the United States is $17.65. In the same year, average hourly rates ranged from $10.06 to $29.43 per hour due to differences in work load and necessary supplies.

While a portion of the labor cost goes to the mechanic, part of it also goes to building maintenance, purchasing tools or equipment, and providing benefits to employees. Labor costs for a repair are based on national labor guides, however, if the repair takes longer than expected because of driver neglect, labor costs rise in accordance to the extra time needed.