How Much Do Car Assembly Line Workers Make?

In the United States in 2024, most car assembly line workers earn roughly $22–$35 per hour, or about $46,000–$73,000 a year before overtime; unionized workers at the Detroit Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis) tend to be at the higher end, with top base rates around $35–$37 per hour in 2024 and contractually set to exceed $40 per hour by 2027–2028. Nonunion automakers (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, and others) commonly pay about $22–$34 per hour depending on location and tenure. Overtime, shift premiums, profit-sharing, and bonuses can lift annual take-home into the $70,000–$100,000+ range in busy years.

What “car assembly line worker” covers—and why pay varies

Automotive “assembly line” roles span job titles such as production associate, team assembler, body/weld tech, paint/trim operator, quality inspector, and material handler. Pay hinges on whether a plant is unionized, the employer, tenure/progression tier, region, shift, and workload (overtime). Final-assembly jobs at automakers generally pay more than supplier plants that make parts and modules.

Current pay landscape in the U.S. (2024)

The figures below synthesize industry contracts, company announcements, and government labor data through 2024. They reflect base hourly pay; actual annual earnings vary with overtime and bonuses.

• Unionized Detroit Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis): After 2023 contracts, base pay saw an 11% immediate increase. In 2024, new hires commonly start around the low-$20s per hour and move up on a shortened 3-year progression; top base rates for production are roughly $35–$37 per hour now, with contractual increases and cost-of-living adjustments aimed to push top rates past $40 per hour by 2027–2028.
• Nonunion “transplant” automakers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes): Many raised wages in late 2023–2024. Typical ranges are about $22–$34 per hour depending on plant and tenure. Several have announced paths moving experienced workers into the mid-$30s per hour by the latter 2020s.
• EV makers (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid): Reported base pay for production associates often runs about $20–$30 per hour in 2024, varying by location and shift; equity awards and bonuses can add value at some firms.
• Major suppliers (seats, interiors, electronics, stamping, logistics feeders): Frequently pay less than the automakers, often around $16–$25 per hour depending on the role, plant, and region.
• National data context: Across all industries, U.S. “assemblers and fabricators” typically earn around the high teens to low $20s per hour, but automotive final assembly generally sits higher than the overall category.

Taken together, final assembly roles at automakers sit at the top of the pay scale for production work, with unionized factories currently leading on base rates and progression speed.

What that means for annual earnings

Base hourly pay does not tell the whole story. Auto plants often run overtime and pay shift premiums, and some offer profit-sharing or production bonuses. Here’s how base rates translate before extras:

• $22/hr ≈ $45,760/year at 40 hours/week
• $28/hr ≈ $58,240/year at 40 hours/week
• $35/hr ≈ $72,800/year at 40 hours/week
• $40/hr ≈ $83,200/year at 40 hours/week

Time-and-a-half overtime, night-shift differentials, and bonuses can lift totals considerably; in strong production years, many experienced workers report take-home in the $70,000–$100,000+ range.

Key factors that influence pay

Several variables determine where a given assembly line worker falls within these ranges.

• Union status and contract terms: Unionized plants have negotiated wage scales, faster progression (often now three years to top rate at the Detroit Three), and cost-of-living adjustments.
• Employer and plant: Some nonunion plants raised wages in 2023–2024 and shortened wage progression, but top rates and benefits still vary widely by company.
• Region: Southern and lower-cost regions sometimes pay less than Midwest plants, though the gap narrowed after 2023–2024 raises.
• Shift and schedule: Evening and overnight shifts typically include premiums; sustained overtime can significantly boost earnings.
• Experience and classification: Skilled or specialized production roles, team leads, and maintenance/technical positions command higher pay than entry-level assembly.
• Bonuses and profit-sharing: Some automakers distribute sizable profit-sharing checks in strong years, adding thousands of dollars to annual compensation.

These factors often interact—for example, a top-rate, second-shift union worker with steady overtime and a profit-sharing payout may earn far more than a first-year day-shift worker at a supplier plant.

Benefits and total compensation

Beyond hourly wages, many auto plants provide health insurance, retirement contributions or pensions, paid time off, and other benefits. While the value varies by employer and plan, benefits can add the equivalent of several dollars per hour to total compensation, particularly at large automakers with comprehensive packages.

Outlook through the late 2020s

Union contracts ratified in late 2023 lock in additional wage increases and restored cost-of-living adjustments at the Detroit Three through 2028, pushing top base rates above $40 per hour by the end of the term. Several nonunion automakers responded with raises and shorter wage progressions, signaling continued upward pressure on pay across the industry. The balance of production between internal-combustion and EV models, plant utilization, and regional expansions will influence overtime opportunities and bonus potential year to year.

Bottom line

In 2024, U.S. car assembly line workers commonly earn $22–$35 per hour in base pay, with unionized Detroit Three workers at the upper end and slated to surpass $40 per hour at top scale by 2027–2028. Annual earnings vary widely with overtime, shifts, and bonuses, often landing between the mid-$50,000s and low six figures for experienced workers in high-demand plants.

How much does GM pay assembly line workers?

The estimated total pay range for a Assembly Line Worker at General Motors (GM) is $41K–$58K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Assembly Line Worker base salary at General Motors (GM) is $45K per year.

What is the highest paying job in the car industry?

High Paying Automotive Jobs

• Automotive Shop Foreman.
• Automotive Diagnostic Technician.
• Automotive Service Manager.
• Master Mechanic.
• Transmission Specialist.
• Auto Inspector.
• Automotive Manager. Salary range: $45,500-$78,500 per year.
• Auto Body Estimator. Salary range: $50,000-$77,000 per year.

How much does a car assembly line worker make?

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Automotive Assembler Jobs

City	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay
San Francisco, CA	$43,746	$3,645
Santa Clara, CA	$43,608	$3,634
Sunnyvale, CA	$43,578	$3,631
Livermore, CA	$43,554	$3,629

How much are UAW workers paid?

Do you get a good deal as a Uaw ?

State	Annual Salary	Hourly Wage
California	$43,912	$21.11
Minnesota	$43,579	$20.95
Rhode Island	$43,574	$20.95
New Hampshire	$43,272	$20.80