Faye Hadley, a celebrated automotive technician, TV personality, and entrepreneur, has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide. Known for her role on All Girls Garage and her business, Pistons & PixieDust, Faye’s journey from a Harvard-educated psychologist to a Toyota specialist is inspiring. At 39 years old in 2025, her net worth is estimated at $500,000, built through her repair shop, TV appearances, and YouTube channel. Married to Brandon Hadley since 2016, the couple shares a vibrant life without children. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing approximately 132 pounds, Faye’s story blends passion, grit, and empowerment.
Faye Hadley’s Age and Early Life
Born on September 25, 1986, Faye Hadley is 39 years old as of September 2025. Growing up in New Hampshire in an old farmhouse surrounded by sheep and tractors, Faye developed a fascination with machinery early on. Her father, an MIT Ph.D. holder, instilled a love for learning, while her mother, Cindy Copeland, nurtured her creativity through crafts and sewing. A pivotal moment came during a 2007 cross-country road trip in a Volkswagen GTI, which broke down, sparking her passion for automotive repair. This experience led her to an unpaid internship at a Volkswagen garage, where she honed her skills while sweeping floors.
Faye’s academic journey is equally remarkable. She graduated from Harvard University in 2010 with a degree in Psychology, initially working as a licensed therapist. However, her heart remained with cars. “I loved helping people as a therapist, but fixing cars felt like solving a puzzle I could see and touch,” she once shared in an interview with San Antonio Magazine. This shift reflects her determination to follow her passion, a choice that resonates with many women breaking into male-dominated fields.
Faye Hadley’s Net Worth and Salary
Faye Hadley’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $500,000, a significant increase from earlier estimates of $65,000 to $250,000, reflecting her growing influence. Her income streams include her automotive repair business, Pistons & PixieDust, her role as a co-host on All Girls Garage (since 2019), and her YouTube channel, which boasts over 300,000 subscribers and 20 million views as of December 2023. While her exact salary remains undisclosed, her TV appearances, workshops, and social media sponsorships contribute substantially. For context, automotive technicians with her expertise and certifications can earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, and Faye’s entrepreneurial ventures likely push her earnings higher.
Her business, Pistons & PixieDust, not only repairs vehicles but also educates women through workshops, a unique angle that sets her apart. “Empowering women to understand their cars is as rewarding as fixing them,” Faye noted on her YouTube channel. This dual focus on service and education has bolstered her financial success and industry impact.
Married Life with Husband Brandon Hadley
Faye Hadley has been married to Brandon Hadley since September 25, 2016, a date that coincides with her birthday, adding a special touch to their union. Brandon, a wood artist and finish carpenter from Phoenix, Arizona, shares Faye’s love for creativity and adventure. The couple began dating in late 2015, transitioning from best friends to life partners. Their Instagram accounts (@pistonsandpixiedust and @brandonhadleywood) showcase their travels, from couch-surfing in Paris to exploring Germany, highlighting their shared passion for new experiences.
Their married life is marked by mutual support. Brandon’s woodworking complements Faye’s automotive expertise, creating a dynamic partnership. “Brandon’s my biggest cheerleader, whether I’m under a car or on TV,” Faye shared on Instagram. As of 2025, they have no children, focusing instead on their careers and adventures. This choice aligns with their lifestyle, allowing flexibility for travel and professional growth. Their strong bond, evident in social media posts, serves as a model for balancing personal and professional lives.
Faye Hadley’s Height, Weight, and Personal Style
Faye Hadley stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and weighs approximately 132 pounds (60 kg), maintaining a fit physique despite the physical demands of her work. Her distinctive style—tattoos covering her arms, legs, and chest, paired with piercings on her nostril, ears, and lip—sets her apart. Faye’s look, often featuring casual jeans and t-shirts, reflects her practical yet bold personality. Her YouTube makeup tutorial, viewed over 100,000 times, showcases her signature eyeliner and lipgloss style, blending femininity with her gritty profession.
Her appearance challenges stereotypes in the automotive industry. “I love showing that you can be feminine, tattooed, and a badass mechanic,” Faye said in a MotorTrend interview. This authenticity resonates with her audience, particularly women aspiring to enter technical fields.
Faye Hadley’s Career and Achievements
Faye’s career is a testament to following one’s passion. After leaving her therapy job, she moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue automotive training. She worked unpaid at a garage, took community college classes, and earned certifications at a Toyota dealership. Today, she’s an ASE Certified Master Technician and a Toyota Specialist, with a focus on Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles. Her shop, Pistons & PixieDust, empowers women through education, while her role on All Girls Garage and Motor MythBusters has made her a household name.
Faye co-founded #WomanAndMachine, an organization offering female-centered automotive workshops. A 2023 case study by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence noted that her workshops increased female participation in automotive training by 15% in San Antonio. This impact underscores her role as a trailblazer. Her YouTube channel, with videos like “How to Install a Camshaft Position Sensor,” provides practical advice, amassing millions of views and fostering a global community of learners.
Faye Hadley’s Family and Personal Life
Faye keeps her family life private but has shared that her parents divorced, and her mother remarried. She maintains a close bond with her stepfather and credits her parents for her creativity and drive. Her father’s academic background and her mother’s artistic influence shaped her multifaceted career. Faye’s maiden name, Anya Lewis, reflects her personal history, which she occasionally references on social media.
Her love for travel, often with Brandon, includes unique experiences like couch-surfing. “Traveling teaches you to adapt, just like diagnosing a car,” she posted on Facebook. This perspective adds depth to her public persona, blending adventure with technical expertise.
Faye Hadley Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faye Hadley (Maiden Name: Anya Lewis) |
| Age | 39 (Born September 25, 1986) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 (Estimated, 2025) |
| Salary | Undisclosed; Estimated $60,000–$100,000 annually |
| Husband | Brandon Hadley (Married September 25, 2016) |
| Kids | None |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | 132 pounds (60 kg) |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Psychology, Harvard University (2010) |
| Profession | Automotive Technician, TV Personality, Entrepreneur, YouTuber |
| Business | Pistons & PixieDust (Owner), #WomanAndMachine (Co-Founder) |
| Certifications | ASE Certified Master Technician, Toyota Specialist |
| TV Shows | All Girls Garage (2019–present), Motor MythBusters, Best of Top Gear (2020) |
| YouTube Subscribers | Over 300,000 (As of December 2023) |
| @pistonsandpixiedust (Over 80,000 followers) | |
| @MechanicalFaye (Over 5,000 followers) | |
| Hometown | New Hampshire, USA; Currently resides in San Antonio, Texas |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Unique Insights and Future Outlook
Faye’s journey offers a unique perspective on breaking gender barriers. Unlike many in her field, she leverages her platform to educate and empower, particularly through #WomanAndMachine. A 2024 survey by the Automotive Service Association found that 70% of women in automotive training cited role models like Faye as inspiration. Her focus on Toyota vehicles taps into a niche market, as Toyota’s reliability makes it a popular choice for DIY repairs, amplifying her YouTube reach.
Looking ahead, Faye plans to expand Pistons & PixieDust nationally, with potential franchises in 2026. Her influence continues to grow, with rumors of a new TV project in development. Follow her journey on Wikipedia and her social media for the latest updates.
