2020 Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degree Guide

Machines and appliances break down all the time. When it's something like a microwave it may not have too much of an impact, but when machinery breaks down in a factory, hospital or power plant, this requires immediate action. Mechanic and Repair Technicians serve invaluable and necessary functions in everyday life, and their skills are always in demand.

A program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies will prepare students to learn the technical knowledge and skill to maintenance, replace parts, adjust, and repair tools, equipment, and machines. Some of the majors in the field are Electronic Maintenance and Repair; Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration (HVACR); Industrial Equipment Maintenance; and Vehicle Maintenance & Repair. While studying in this field, you will be taking courses in blueprint reading, electronics, mechanical drawing, electricity fundamentals, and semiconductor devices. This program is often completed as a certificate, however can be earned as an associate's degree in some cases.

Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degrees On The Rise

In 2017-2018, mechanic and repair technologies was the 14th most popular major nationwide with 109,362 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.9% increase in mechanic and repair technologies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 107,298.

The United States has 91 different schools where you can get a degree in mechanic and repair technologies. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mechanic and repair technologies programs later in this article.

Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degree Requirements

If you have a curiosity for how things work and enjoy learning how to fix things, you would be well- suited for this major. Most programs require student to acquire an apprenticeships in order to gain work experience and learn basic skills hands-on. This means you will divide your time between work in the field and hours spent in the classroom.

Problem solving is an essential skill to possess for this program. It is your job to diagnose and repair complex problems with machinery. Students should also take care to develop customer-service skills. This will help you in a career in communicating with clients.

Prior Education for a Mechanic & Repair Technologies Program

mechanic and repair technologies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic mechanic and repair technologies program qualifications, to serve in some mechanic and repair technologies careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.

Types of Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degrees

There are many different mechanic and repair technologies degree levels. You can get anything from a award taking less than 1 year in mechanic and repair technologies to the highest mechanic and repair technologies degree, a master's. Depending on the mechanic and repair technologies degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.

Degree	Credit Requirements	Typical Program Length
Associate Degree	60-70 credits	2 years
Bachelor’s Degree	120 credits	4 years
Master’s Degree	50-70 credits	1-3 years
Doctorate	Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation	At least 4 years

A high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to mechanic and repair technologies, with approximately 40.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for mechanic and repair technologies workers below.

Level of Education	Percentage of Workers
High School Diploma	38.7%
Post-Secondary Certificate	35.4%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	8.8%
Some College Courses	7.4%
Less than a High School Diploma	5.9%

Most workers in mechanic and repair technologies have at least a award taking 1 to 2 years. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in mechanic and repair technologies careers have.

The education level required is different depending on the mechanic and repair technologies career you are seeking.

Career Opportunities for A Degree In Mechanic & Repair Technologies Graduate

An individual who completes a program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies has the opportunity to enter into a variety of career paths working with various machinery or vehicles. You could become an electronic engineering technician and help engineers design and develop electrical devices. Another field is in home appliance installation and repairs. A more in-demand position would be a heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technician. These professionals maintain, repair, and inspect vehicles and machinery in transportation, construction, and other industries. Other jobs include diesel service technicians, vehicle mechanics and more.

Growth Projected for Mechanic & Repair Technologies Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your mechanic and repair technologies degree? Mechanic & Repair Technologies careers are expected to grow 5.5% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mechanic and repair technologies.

Occupation Name	Projected Jobs	Expected Growth
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	795,800	6.1%
Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors	495,000	7.1%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	381,700	14.7%
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	370,100	6.7%
Bus and Truck Mechanics	304,600	9.3%

How Much Money Do People With a Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degree Make?

Recently graduated mechanic and repair technologies students earned an average of $31,565 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $9,700 to as high as $67,600. As you might expect, salaries for mechanic and repair technologies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

High Paying Careers for Mechanic & Repair Technologies Majors

Salaries for mechanic and repair technologies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers mechanic and repair technologies grads often go into.

Occupation Name	Median Average Salary
Elevator Installers and Repairers	$79,370
Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors	$69,320
Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers	$65,510
Avionics Technicians	$65,330
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$65,230

Getting Your Mechanic & Repair Technologies Degree

With over 6,763 different mechanic and repair technologies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased mechanic and repair technologies school rankings to help you with this.

Mechanic & Repair Technologies Related Majors

Mechanic & Repair Technologies Majors to Study

Major	Annual Graduates
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair	68,068
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration	19,789
Electronics Maintenance & Repair	9,699
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance	8,738
Precision Systems Maintenance	1,825

View All Mechanic & Repair Technologies Related Majors >

Most Popular Related Majors

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Personal & Culinary Services	132,932
Precision Production	55,086
Construction Trades	34,134
Transportation & Materials Moving	28,074

View All Mechanic & Repair Technologies Related Majors >

References

• National Center for Education Statistics

• O*NET Online

• Image Credit: By Alfred Palmer under License