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Sector

Careers in Auto Parts Wholesale

Auto parts wholesale distributes components to repair shops and retailers. Mostly on-site operations with moderate credential requirements.

370K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$54K
Median salary
Across all roles
Auto Parts Wholesale jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Auto Parts Wholesale employment by metro · ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ6K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA5K
3.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN4K
4.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX4K
5.Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX3K

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

1.Elkhart-Goshen, IN139
2.Grand Island, NE127.7
3.Kenosha, WI124.9
4.Odessa, TX124.4
5.Columbus, IN123.1
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Auto Parts Wholesale

Auto parts wholesale draws people who appreciate the technical knowledge and relationship-driven nature of the business. You're supplying repair shops, dealers, and retailers with the parts they need to keep vehicles running — work where product expertise and reliable service build lasting customer loyalty.

The challenge can come from the breadth of inventory and rapid turnaround expectations. Vehicle complexity keeps growing, requiring constant learning about new systems and parts. Customers often need parts immediately for vehicles sitting in their bays, creating pressure for speed and accuracy. Competition from online retailers has intensified price pressure while service expectations remain high.

The sector varies by customer focus and product specialization. Serving independent repair shops differs from dealer relationships or retail store supply. Some operations focus on specific vehicle brands or systems; others carry broad inventory across makes and models. Aftermarket parts distribution operates differently than OEM parts networks.

For people who thrive here, the rewards are tangible: the satisfaction of solving parts puzzles for customers, the technical knowledge that accumulates over time, and the relationship-based business where your expertise keeps customers coming back. If you enjoy automotive technology and appreciate work where product knowledge matters, auto parts wholesale offers stable careers built on expertise.

How people break in

Counter and delivery positions accessible. Product knowledge develops. Technical background helps. Sales ability matters for account roles.

Work environment tends toward
Product knowledgeCounter serviceDelivery speedTechnical customersMultiple delivery daily
Industries it connects to
Auto RepairDealershipsManufacturingRetail
Salary vs. national average
-24%
$54K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$16K$38K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all auto parts wholesale roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$90K
2. Boulder$77K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$74K
4. Trenton-Princeton$69K
5. Durham-Chapel Hill$69K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$69K in mid-market metros to ~$102K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $102K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $87K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $80K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $90K adj.
Boulder · $77K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $74K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 21M
Los Angeles · 14.1M
Chicago · 10.5M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Auto Parts Wholesale.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Wholesale & Distribution data
16%
People tend to stay in Wholesale & Distribution. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
6%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
92%
Small
<50
7%
Mid
50–249
1%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
mostly_onsite
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Wholesale & Distribution data
~4%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
4%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Auto Parts Wholesale

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Admin & Office · Distribution companies need organized admins to coordinate logistics and support sales teams. Steady work, predictable hours, good entry point.
12%
$51K median
Explore →
Transportation · The supply chain backbone — trucking, warehousing, and distribution moving goods from manufacturers to retailers and consumers.
11%
$47K median
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Sales · Distribution and wholesale sales moving products from manufacturers to retailers — inventory management meets relationship selling.
9%
$52K median
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Maintenance & Repair · Warehouse equipment maintenance, conveyor systems, and forklift repair. Industrial maintenance skills, predictable schedules.
9%
$48K median
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Business Operations
9%
$60K median
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Arts & Media · Product photography, catalog design, and visual merchandising. Commercial focus, steady workflow, less glamorous but more stable than agency life.
6%
$56K median
Explore →
Median salary for occupations employed within Auto Parts Wholesale. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Auto Parts Wholesale

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.