Automotive Transmission Repair Revenue Benchmarks
The average automotive transmission repair business in the United States generates $471K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 3,787 automotive transmission repair businesses in the U.S., employing 14,853 workers with an average profit margin of 8.0%.
What Does a Automotive Transmission Repair Business Actually Do?
Specialty auto repair shops focused on transmissions and drivetrains — diagnosis, service, rebuild, and replacement. Franchise chains (AAMCO, Cottman) and independents share the market.
Who buys: Vehicle owners with transmission problems (often on older vehicles), fleet operators.
Average Revenue
$471K
per year
Profit Margin
8.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$120K
per year
Total Businesses
3,787
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$38K
small business avg
Labor Cost
38.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
N/A
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
1.1
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Automotive Transmission Repair Charge?
Transmission shops earn on labor plus rebuild/replace parts, with wide variance by vehicle type.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Transmission diagnostic | $150–300 |
Transmission fluid flush | $200–400 |
Solenoid/valve body replacement | $400–1,500 |
Transmission rebuild | $1,800–4,500 |
Transmission replacement (used) | $1,500–4,000 |
Transmission replacement (new/reman) | $3,500–8,500 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete automotive transmission repair business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a automotive transmission repair business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the automotive transmission repair industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Supplies & materials | $16 | $76K | Direct consumables — parts for repair shops, chemicals for laundries, etc. |
Wages & benefits | $38 | $179K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $11 | $51K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $5 | $25K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $22 | $102K | Insurance, licensing, tools, uniforms, small equipment. |
Net profit | $8 | $38K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
10.42%
openings/year
Closure Rate
9.1%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+3.4%
annual
Businesses Closed
12,052
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Automotive Transmission Repair Business?
Startup Cost
$30K – $150K
Break-Even
29 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a automotive transmission repair business do?
- Specialty auto repair shops focused on transmissions and drivetrains — diagnosis, service, rebuild, and replacement. Franchise chains (AAMCO, Cottman) and independents share the market. Vehicle owners with transmission problems (often on older vehicles), fleet operators.
- How much do automotive transmission repair charge?
- Transmission shops earn on labor plus rebuild/replace parts, with wide variance by vehicle type. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average automotive transmission repair make per year?
- The average automotive transmission repair business generates $471K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $38K per year at a 8.0% profit margin.
- How many automotive transmission repair businesses are there in the US?
- There are 3,787 automotive transmission repair businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 14,853 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a automotive transmission repair business?
- Startup costs for a automotive transmission repair business typically range from $30K to $150K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
Industry Growth & Survival
The automotive transmission repair industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 3.4% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (10.4% entry vs 9.1% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 62% of automotive transmission repair businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 12,052 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The automotive transmission repair industry has declined 2% since 2000 (from 138,176 to 135,684 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Automotive Transmission Repair revenue with other industries: