What Does a Tire Technician Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a tire technician do?

Tire repairers and changers repair and replace tires, balance wheels and perform related services. The median pay is $37,710 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$37,710
$18.13/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.4%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
12,900
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
112,200
Employment, 2025

What tire technicians do

Tire technicians keep vehicles on the road. They mount and balance tires, repair punctures, rotate tires, check pressure and wear, reset tire pressure sensors and handle commercial truck and farm tires on service calls.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects about average growth and many openings.

Typical duties

Mount and dismount tires
Balance wheels
Repair punctures
Rotate tires
Check tread and pressure
Reset TPMS sensors
Torque lug nuts

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in tire shops, dealerships and on the road.

Schedule: Full time, including Saturdays.

A day in the life

7:30 AMOpen the bays.
8:00 AMMount four tires.
9:30 AMPatch a punctured tire.
11:00 AMBalance wheels.

See a full day in the life of a tire technician →

Tire Technician salary

Half of tire technicians earned more than $37,710 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,010 for the lowest 10% to $50,230 for the top 10%.

$30,01010th$37,710Median$50,23090th

Full tire technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a tire technician

Finish high school
Get hired at a tire shop
Learn mounting and balancing
Earn TIA certification
Advance

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a tire technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Tire mounting
Wheel balancing
Puncture repair
TPMS service
Torque procedures

People skills

Reliability
Speed
Safety awareness
Teamwork

All tire technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Short training
Many openings
Active work
Entry to auto careers

Cons

Low pay
Physical work
Heat and cold
Repetitive tasks

Certifications and licenses

TIA ATS certification: Tire Industry Association.
TIA commercial tire training: For trucks.
ASE entry-level: Helpful.
Driver’s license: For road service.

Career path

Tire Technician: Entry.
Lead Tire Tech: Lead.
Service Technician: Repairs.
Shop Manager: Run shop.

Learn the job before day one

Our Tire Technician training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as repair a tire puncture correctly and torque lug nuts in a star pattern, safety and how to land your first job.

View Tire Technician training Is this career right for me?

Automotive Service Technician

Inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs.

$50,620
6–24 months

Diesel Mechanic

Diagnose and repair trucks, buses and diesel-powered equipment.

$61,770
6–24 months

Auto Glass Technician

Replace and repair windshields and vehicle glass, including camera calibration.

$47,630
A few months on the job

Small Engine Mechanic

Repair lawn mowers, chainsaws, generators and other small gas and electric equipment.

$47,880
3–12 months

Compare: Tire Technician vs. Auto Technician · Tire Technician vs. Diesel Mechanic · Tire Technician vs. Auto Glass Technician · Tire Technician vs. Small Engine Mechanic

Tire Technician FAQ

Do tire technicians need certification?

Not required, but TIA training helps.

Is the job in demand?

Yes, BLS projects many openings.

Can it lead to mechanic jobs?

Yes.

How much does a tire technician make?

The median annual wage for tire technicians was $37,710 ($18.13 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,010 and the highest 10% earned more than $50,230.

How long does it take to become a tire technician?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a tire technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-3093 (Tire repairers and changers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Tire repairers and changers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Tire Technician